Great Joy
by Kate DiCamillo, Bagram Ibatoulline
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 104)
Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
Christmas fans
I checked this out because I like both the author and the illustrator. I think DiCamillo's writing is better suited to chapter-book length -- I liked The Tale of Despereaux far better -- but this is a sweet Christmas story with nice detail. The pictures are softly shaded, realistic, and 1940's-esque, sort of like Chris Van Allsburg meets Norman Rockwell. The sense of lighting is lovely, since much of the book takes place at night. The ending felt rather abrupt, but the final two-page spread is w...more
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Read in March, 2008
The illustrations for this book are simply astounding, I loved looking at them, remembering all the magical moments I had as a child when I didn't know how to read and would glean what I could from the pictures. The story was very sweet and made me smile. Definitely read if you are a fan of Kate DiCamillo.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.c...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.c...
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Read in November, 2007
Oh, how this pains me to give Ms. Dicamillo one star. I was so disappointed in this book that I wanted to cry in my soup. I got to the last page and was sure that the remaining book must have gotten lost somewhere on its way into my hands, but no such luck. I will hang on to my feelings of love for this writer and hold out hope for another Despereaux-esque masterpiece!
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As she prepares for the church Christmas pageant, Frances worries about the organ grinder and his monkey who live on the corner below her apartment window. The sentimental story may be too saccharine for some readers, but others will be catpivated by the detail in Ibatoulline's gorgeous acrylic gouache depictions of 1940's wartime families.
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Read in February, 2008
A nice Christmas story with beautiful illustrations. A little girl is concerned for a homeless man and his pet monkey who work the street corner with music for coins. She invites him to her Church play. The mother is wary and concerned, but all turns out well in the end.
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Read in December, 2007
A great return to the classic children's picture book. Some of them are starting to get a little ridiculous, but this is full of beautiful pictures, not to mention the gorgeous text of Kate DiCamillo. A sweet story that has the true meaning of Christmas at heart.
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Read in January, 2008
This book reminds me of a reverse Little Match Girl, not in the story so much, but more in the illustrations. Ibatoulline's illustrations remind me of Jerry Pinkey's Little Match Girl illustrations. Di Camillo creates a beautiful Christmas story.
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A sweet christmas picture book, the story isn't a tear jerker (I was hoping for it!) but a nice story about a young girl sharing the Christmas spirit. Not a must, but if you collect Christmas picture books . . . not a bad purchase.
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Read in June, 2008
Yeah, I checked this out around Christmas and just now read it. It's sweet - and what I really appreciate about it is that Kate DiCamillo is able to do super sweet without being sappy.
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Read in November, 2007
The illustrations are what made the book. The story seemed choppy, as if she wanted to write a chapter book and an editor pared it down to a picture book.
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Read in November, 2007
Beautiful illustrations that seem to belong in the 40's!
This is a heartwarming holiday story for ages 4-8 but
anyone who wants to feel young.
This is a heartwarming holiday story for ages 4-8 but
anyone who wants to feel young.
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Read in October, 2007
A nice holiday story in which a child shows a homeless man compassion without pity or judgment. It has lovely illustrations too.
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Sweet text about a girl who reaches out to a homeless organ grinder at christmas time. Soft pictures work well with this one.
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Read in November, 2007
I wish the story went a little deeper, but it's a beautiful book. The artwork is moving and tender, and the story is sweet.
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Read in December, 2007
Fun children's book to read--especially at Christmas. Gives me me the 'feel good' chills at the end.
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Read in March, 2008
It had great potential, but the ending was disappointing. It was too abrupt.
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Read in December, 2007
It's pretty sweet and there's an organ grinder with a monkey in it.
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I guess I was hoping for more at the end of the book...
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Read in February, 2008
A happy, make you feel good, short picture story book.
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