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57th out of 391 books
—
556 voters
Great Joy
In her first picture book, America’s beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo reunites with Bagram Ibatoulline to offer readers an unforgettable holiday gift.
It is just before Christmas when an organ grinder and monkey appear on the street corner outside Frances’s apartment. Frances can see them from her window and, sometimes, when it’s quiet, she can hear their music. In fact,...more
It is just before Christmas when an organ grinder and monkey appear on the street corner outside Frances’s apartment. Frances can see them from her window and, sometimes, when it’s quiet, she can hear their music. In fact,...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
October 9th 2007
by Candlewick Press
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Exquisite! I loved this book, so gentle and yet so powerful. Really captures the moment when a child realizes the injustice in the world, the lack of compassion--and how troubling that can be, especially when the grown-ups in life can't/won't fix it. And yet, she finds her own way to make some "great joy" in the end. The pictures are absolutely stunning and I really like the "old fashioned" element--I'm guessing '40s--in terms of the style of dress, hair-dos, cars, etc.
Dec 23, 2008
Chandra
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Chandra by:
Kathryn
Shelves:
christmas-holiday-winter,
picture-books
Very charming and touching Christmas story - balances child-like wonder with the harsher realities of life. Very nice story and beautiful illustrations. Did anyone else think the mom looks like a young Maureen O'Hara (Miracle on 34th Street)? The ending leaves you wondering, and could be a good discussion starter.
3 likes · like · see review
DiCamillo, K. (2007). Great Joy. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
Gr. K-3. Outside her window each night, Frances sees an organ grinder with his monkey, playing in the cold and the snow. As she is on her way to perform in the Christmas pageant, Frances makes a decision: she invites the organ grinder and the monkey to watch the play. When the two show up just as Frances is about to deliver her line, she finds the true meaning of joy.
Curriculum: This would be a good book to talk about compassion an...more
Gr. K-3. Outside her window each night, Frances sees an organ grinder with his monkey, playing in the cold and the snow. As she is on her way to perform in the Christmas pageant, Frances makes a decision: she invites the organ grinder and the monkey to watch the play. When the two show up just as Frances is about to deliver her line, she finds the true meaning of joy.
Curriculum: This would be a good book to talk about compassion an...more
Reason for Reading: I am a fan of the author.
This is a lovely Christmas picture book that, aside from a religious aspect, captures the true essence of Christmas. First of all, the illustrations are absolutely breathtaking paintings done in acrylic gouache. They place the story in the past sometime, but it is not until we see the photograph of the man in uniform do we place the story as being during, World War II. This book is worthy for its pictures alone. Yet, it has a text equally breathtaking...more
This is a lovely Christmas picture book that, aside from a religious aspect, captures the true essence of Christmas. First of all, the illustrations are absolutely breathtaking paintings done in acrylic gouache. They place the story in the past sometime, but it is not until we see the photograph of the man in uniform do we place the story as being during, World War II. This book is worthy for its pictures alone. Yet, it has a text equally breathtaking...more
"In a dark time, doors will sometimes magically open and let us step inside to the warmth and light of a community."
—Kate DiCamillo
The big-scale paintings done by Bagram Ibatoulline that decorate this book are an absolute, no-doubt-about-it knockout. I don't know if I've ever seen such breathtaking artwork in a Christmas picture picture outside of The Polar Express, and these paintings add incredible dimension to Kate DiCamillo's soft-spoken, unpretentious narrative.
Great Joy is one of the b...more
—Kate DiCamillo
The big-scale paintings done by Bagram Ibatoulline that decorate this book are an absolute, no-doubt-about-it knockout. I don't know if I've ever seen such breathtaking artwork in a Christmas picture picture outside of The Polar Express, and these paintings add incredible dimension to Kate DiCamillo's soft-spoken, unpretentious narrative.
Great Joy is one of the b...more
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.com/2008...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
This book is a story of compassion at Christmas Time. It is a sweet story of a little girl who is curious where a homeless man goes at night. She has such care and concern for the man because it is snowing and cold. Her mother wants nothing to do with the man, but that doesn't stop her. To be so young and want to reach out and help someone you have never met just tugs at my heart. This was Kate DiCamillo's first picture book and I want her to write more of them! I have read this book across grad...more
1 like · like · see review
Every year I give my family a new Christmas book on December 1st to add to our collection and I have to admit I was excited about this Christmas book by Kate DiCamillo. But oh, how I wish I'd taken the time to do more than look at the pictures. It had potential and then, just like that, it turned over and fell flat. Started off really interesting and then was suddenly over and we all looked at each other with these puzzled expressions and all I could say was, "OK." The pictures are interesting a...more
Harriet's got the holidays on her brain right now. She's been wanting to read stories about Christmas and Hanukkah. One of her first choices was Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo.
The book takes place during WWII in a large city. Frances and her mother live in an apartment while her father is away fighting in the war. Frances has a part in the upcoming Christmas pageant but she is preoccupied by the organ grinder who has come to street corner across from her bedroom window.
The story's about charity dur...more
The book takes place during WWII in a large city. Frances and her mother live in an apartment while her father is away fighting in the war. Frances has a part in the upcoming Christmas pageant but she is preoccupied by the organ grinder who has come to street corner across from her bedroom window.
The story's about charity dur...more
It feels like Christmas the moment you pick up Kate DiCamillo's Great Joy. The metallic gold endpapers let you know this book is something special. This is the story of Frances who really understands the meaning of Christmas. The lovely illustrations take you right into 1940s. As you see the world through Frances' eyes, you'll want to decide what you can do to bring "great joy" to others at Christmas time. This story will remind you of the power of one. One person (even a child) can make a diffe...more
It's nearing Christmas and Frances has a role in the pageant. Outside her window, she can see an old man and his monkey on the corner huddled in the bitter cold weather. She feels so sorry for him and wonders where he and his monkey sleep at night. The evening of the pageant arrives, but all Frances can think about is the organ grinder and his monkey. A moving story about compassion. Beautifully illustrated as well.
This is a wonderful newer picture book for Christmas sharing with a young person of your choice. Either the text or pictures could stand on their own, but together they make one of the best of this genre. The theme is the inclusion of the marginalized, a very appropriate one for Christmas and one that I found in DiCamillo's other book I've read, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. The book is set during World War II, as one can tell from the pictures (and, truly, when did you last see an or...more
I read this gem of a story on Christmas Eve, the perfect time for such a beautiful tale. Little Frances feels sorry for the organ grinder and his monkey, who sleep out on the streets in the cold. She tries to get her mother to invite him in for supper, but her mother says no. Finally, as they're heading to church on Christmas Eve, she manages to invite the organ grinder to her church--and the rest of the story will bring the tears to your eyes. Bagram Ibatoulline's illustrations really make this...more
A wonderful story that got comments about the nice illustrations from the kids. It's about how children naturally want to do good and sometimes the "rules" of the adult world don't quite fit in with the Christmas spirit. Will it be an inconvenience? Will I be embarrassed? Kids don't stop to ask questions like that! A wonderful book that we will read again.
I read this aloud to children several times last Christmas and I can't read the last page without choking up! Kate DeCamillo is so good at the understated. I always think she honor's the young reader by not describing, saying or explaining too much. She just let's her stories happen. I also think she uses a "delicate" touch drawing her characters (Despereaux).
A simple, sweet story. The illustrations make this book one worth owning. They are impressionistic, and full of the detail that little eyes like to find, but the best part about them is the the LIGHT...in the windows, from the Christmas celebrations, in the streets. Very warm and inviting, and just the sort of book I would have wanted to read before bed as a child.
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. The softness and details truly add to the story. This book reminds us of one of the great lessons of Christmas, that's it's for everyone. However, I was disappointed in the ending. I realize it was a picture book and therefore short, but the ending was rather abrupt, Amber even asked, "Is that it?"
Oct 05, 2009
nicole j. wroblewski
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
I wouldn't.
Shelves:
picture-books,
holiday
All kinds of boring. And preachy. I just don't think Kate DiCamillio is made for the picture book format, or maybe she just hasn't hit her stride. (Other case in point: I don't know a single person who made it through that entire chicken picture book she wrote. And I worked in a children's bookstore. Too. Damn. Wordy.)
A great pairing of illustrations with text. Kate has always been a pro at not wasting words. This endearing tale is much the same - it carries a beautiful message with the art of simplicity. Bagram's beautiful illustrations tell a wonderful story making this a perfect duo.
I had this book sent to me by Kristin, who knows I love Kate DiCamillo and all things Christmas. I opened the box and read the book right there in my dorm. It was a really quick read, even for a children's book, but it had a great message and really beautiful illustrations.
Amazing artwork. Very realistic. The setting is in the 50s and in the winter around Christmas time. The story is centered around a little girl, a monkey and a man with a music machine. This can be used to teach acceptance to others. I really enjoyed this book.
Each time I finish reading a book by by Kate DiCamillo I say to myself, "This woman is a genius." And, this gentle picture book is DiCamillo at her best - tender, meaningful, and enlightening without even a hint of preachy judgment. Simply beautiful.
This is an amazing book. I love it. If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews...YOU HAVE TO HAVE THIS. It is a beautifully illustrated Christmas story that will make for a wonderful Christmas time tradition. Don't pass this book up.
Kate DiCamillo has a way of grabbing your heart and squeezing it tight, and her publisher finds the most amazing illustrators for her words. This is a sweet and wonderful book about a little girl who learns how to reach out to others.
Little girl sees an organ grinder and monkey in the street during Christmastime and wonders where they go at night. She discovers they sleep on the street, so she invites them to her play.... and they come! Very sweet story.
This book really touches your heart and makes you realize the importance of having compassion and thinking of others. The little girl is able to remind us of what is really important around the holiday season.
A tender Christmas story about a girl who befriends a lonely organ grinder. I sort of hate to say it, but it really is a heart warming story. It's a must-have for every Christmas book collection.
A beautiful Christmas story, with both amazing illustrations and a heartfelt story. A little girl notices an organ grinder and his monkey out in the cold on Christmas Eve, and decides to help them.
Kate DiCamillo's first picture book... lovely as everything else she writes! I just adore her writing. Beautiful images by Bagram Ibatoulline (who also illustrated Edward Tulane).
Beautiful story from a little girl's perspective. Worried about the man and his monkey in the street. Where does he go at night? Gorgeous illustrations to add to such a wonderful story.
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Kate DiCamillo spent most of her childhood in the South, and moved to Minnesota when she was in her twenties. She was inspired to write Because of Winn-Dixie, her first novel, during a bout of homesickness one brutally cold winter. The book was an immediate success: it is a Newbery Honor Book, has won more than twenty-five state awards, and has been made into a popular family film. Kate DiCamillo’...more
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Dec 21, 2008 05:50pm
Nope. Not even ready for this almost half a year away from Christmas, but great review. Maybe next year.
updated Apr 19, 2011 01:46pm