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Kate DiCamillo

Great Joy Hardcover – Picture Book, October 9, 2007

by Kate DiCamillo (Author), Bagram Ibatoulline (Illustrator)

73 ratings

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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, Frances can’t stop thinking about them, especially after she sees the man and his monkey sleeping outside on the cold street at midnight. When the day of the Christmas pageant arrives, and it’s Frances’s turn to speak, everyone waits silently. But all Frances can think about is the organ grinder’s sad eyes — until, just in time, she finds the perfect words to share. Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo pairs once again with acclaimed artist Bagram Ibatoulline as she presents a timeless story of compassion and joy.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

The plotline is simplicity itself, and the text lacks any sentimentality or fluff, allowing the acrylic paintings, reminiscent of Norman Rockwell’s work in their warmth and realism, to enrich and expand the story.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Ibatoulline’s evocative artwork moves [the story] to a higher level. The setting is the 1940s, and the art captures the time beautifully.
—Booklist (starred review)

This simple but powerful story will indeed bring the reader great joy.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Newbury Medalist DiCamillo spins a tale of compassion and holiday warmth.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Yet another wonderful tale from the award-winning author that is beautifully depicted by Ibatoulline.
—Library Media Connection, Highly Recommended

Bagram Ibatoulline's illustrations are all about the contrast between warmer, golden interiors and the cold purplish blue of winter's twilight. Frances acts in a way that lets her feel joy from within.
—Chicago Tribune

Newbery medalist Kate DiCamillo’s heart-warming prose is gorgeously complimented by Bagram Ibatoulline’s inspiring illustrations…overlaid with a hazy glow of wonder.
—National Center for the Study of Children’s Literature

The fabulous duo of DiCamillo and Ibatoulline, who gave us the beautiful Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane last year, has teamed up for a picture book that could become a holiday classic.
—Kansas City Star

It's a simple story with a simple ending, but it focuses on what the season is supposed to be about: giving to others and opening up your heart.
—Louisville Courier-Journal

A gorgeous volume with illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline, Great Joy is about the difference between marking Christmas and understanding its meaning.
—Miami Herald

There's genuine warmth to the satisfying Christmas pageant climax, which resonates like a favorite carol — the kind that makes you cry.
—Minneapolis Star Tribune

The atmospheric art contrasts the chill of the weather and warm glow of the climactic welcoming celebration.
—San Francisco Chronicle

The best yule book of 2007…would revive anyone's Christmas spirit after a day spent enveloped in a swirl of mall Muzak and shoppers' elbows.
—Tacoma News Tribune

An inspiring story of Christmas kindness…Luminous paintings capture the story's depth and light.
—Grand Rapids Press

[A] touching story of good will toward all…Bagram Ibatoulline's subtle illustrations convey the true spirit of the season.
—Literary Features Syndicate

Spare, loving prose and luminous acrylic illustrations make each full-page spread a heartfelt joy. Read this giving tale aloud to your loved ones this season.
—Copley News Service

Unparalleled in its simplicity of words and its ethereal illustrations.
—The Asheville Citizen-Times

This magnificently illustrated, heartwarming book is a different kind of holiday tale, one that addresses the true meaning of Christmas.
—Catholic Online

Luminous illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline accentuate the power of random acts of kindness.
—Charlotte Parent

A beautiful book from a very special storyteller. You’ll want to add this to your family’s collection.
—Parentclick.com

Heart-warming prose is gorgeously complemented by…inspiring illustrations…overlaid with a hazy glow of wonder.
—National Center for the Study of Children’s Literature

About the Author

Kate DiCamillo is the author of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, winner of a Boston Globe-Horn BookAward; The Tale of Despereaux, winner of the Newbery Medal; Because of Winn-Dixie, a Newbery Honor winner; The Tiger Rising, a National Book Award Finalist; and four books starring Mercy Watson, including a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book. She lives in Minneapolis.

Bagram Ibatoulline is the illustrator of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, as well as The Serpent Came to Gloucester by M. T. Anderson, Hana in the Time of the Tulips by Deborah Noyes, The Animal Hedge by Paul Fleischman, The Nightingale retold by Stephen Mitchell, and Crossing by Philip Booth. He lives in Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania.

Product details

Lexile measure : AD680L
Item Weight : 1.2 pounds
Grade level : Preschool - 3
Hardcover : 32 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-0763629205
ISBN-10 : 0763629205
Dimensions : 10.13 x 0.4 x 11.63 inches
Publisher : Candlewick; First Edition first Printing (October 9, 2007)
Language: : English
ASIN : 0763629200
Reading level : 4 - 8 years

Best Sellers Rank: #221,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #137 in Children's Homelessness & Poverty Books (Books)
- #1,113 in Children's Values Books
- #2,553 in Children's Christmas Books (Books)

Customer Reviews:
73 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		77%
4 star		9%
3 star		6%
2 star		4%
1 star		3%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Nina Chabanov

I loved the book

Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2017

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I loved the book. Very Christmas spirit story. Not very long and elaborate as some of Kate's stories (tiger rising, Edward Tulane) but very charming

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Beautiful Illustrations and warm story

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2010

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We first read this book at the library, and chose it as this year's addition to the family Christmas book collection. I want my children to understand and be sensitive to the needs of others. The girl in the story is both curious about and kind to the organ player. The illustrations tell much of what is not said in the story - her family's financial circumstances, the absence of a father due to the war, the concern of her mother both to keep up appearances and be safe. Each time I read it with my children, we see new details that add to the depth and reality of each character. We have read it many times, and with it packed away until next Christmas, I'm sure we'll enjoy it again and again.

One note - I'm not sure why it's called a "midi" edition. I believe this might be better stated "mini" edition. The pages are about 6" x 8", but it's still adequately large to enjoy.

2 people found this helpful

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Richard A. Bickle

Something to think about

Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2009

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I bought this book, last Christmas, for a friend and couldn't wait to get a copy for myself this year. I too was surprised by the seemingly abrupt ending. I am writing in response to the review that had nothing good to say about the book. I agree that this book is more for adults who will grasp its meaning. The person who wrote the review thought it was awful that he, the organ grinder, should be invited in, and then what? Back out in the cold? So, I'm wondering, should we do nothing because perhaps we can only do one thing? Look at the joy on the mans face! In a room that size, full of people perhaps there was someone who could offer him a place to stay. Oh how we limit what God can do when we open our hearts to care. May I also suggest that this may have been the first of many offers to come in from the cold, for a hot bowl of soup, hot chocolate or even a cool glass of lemonade on a hot day! Jesus said when you do kind things to others you are doing them unto him! May I also be so bold as to suggest that this may have been the end of the book, but only the beginning of the story. Think about it.

43 people found this helpful

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first words...God's breath

"On the 25th Day of Christmas.....You Will Feel a Child's Compassionate Heart!"

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2010

Verified Purchase

This story and its accompanying pictures take place back in time, around the 1950s, when street corners would be spotted with self-employed opportunists who would entertain or sell you some gadget or gizmo. In this story, there is an organ grinder, with a small costumed monkey, playing music for people on the street. Crowds would pass by and enjoy the sounds of the organ grinder and the antics (that's behavior) of the monkey.

From an apartment window above the street level, a little girl named Frances would watch the man and his monkey, both during the day and the night. Frances became concerned about the man and his monkey and what happens to them at night. Now Frances' mother was sewing her a robe for the church pageant; she was going to be an angel.

That night, Frances made herself stay awake because she wanted to see if the old man and his monkey were still out on the street corner so late at night. Yes, she saw them, and called to them; the old man waved his hat to her.

Well, the next morning, Frances told her Mother that they sleep on the street, even in the snow. She even wanted to invite them for dinner, but her Mother said they couldn't because they were strangers. Frances and her Mother, dressed in their winter coats and boots, walked in the snow. Frances saw that the man and the monkey were still on the street corner; she placed a coin in the monkey's cup, and invited the man to the Christmas play, that night. She explained that she was in the Christmas play at the church. She even asked him if he wanted to hear her one line in the play. Before he could say anything, Frances' Mother hurried her on so they wouldn't be late. Frances could see the sad eyes on the man's face. He just smiled at her.

By the time Frances had put on her wings and halo, it was her turn to speak. The other characters waited, but Frances couldn't speak. All she could think of was how cold it was outside for the man and his monkey; she remembered how sad the man looked. All of a sudden, at the back of the church, the door opened; in came the man and his monkey, and in the midst of the quiet church, Frances smiled and shouted, "Behold! I bring you tidings of Great Joy!" The man walked in with the monkey. More than that, he spent time with the people in the church. Frances had made one person's world better that night by showing that she cared.

The artist, Bagram Ibatoulline, an acclaimed Russian artist, noted for illustrating children's picture books, used the acrylic gouache method, which is the mixing of glue with the paint. As you browse through this very simple book, you will notice the small details in the artist's brushstrokes; these illustrations compliment the author's text. The drawings look a bit like those of the renown Norman Rockwell, though these illustrations have a softness that Rockwell's artwork don't have. Some of the illustrations remind me of sepia photographs, with a bit of infused color. This book carries a powerful message of compassion in the child's heart.

9 people found this helpful

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Janet Baker

Great Joy brought great joy

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2014

Verified Purchase

Love this book. Suitable for all ages, really, with evocative illustrations. Makes one homesick for Christmas in New York circa 1940's. Bought it for my 3-year-old grandson who loved it for its monkey, and for the title line, "Great Joy!!" which he shouts out when the moment arrives. Wonderful book and I also like its size: just right for reading to a child sitting on one's knee. The larger format is a bit overwhelming.

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Pat Rutowski

The true spirit of Christmas

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2013

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I found this book last year and gave it to lots of people for Christmas because it's such a great story of a child experiencing the real spirit of Christmas, opening herself to other's needs and including them in the fold. And this year, I was involved in a homeless project trying to raise awareness of homeless women in our area so it had even more relevance to my life, to the people with whom I was working and to whom I gave it, and to the spirit of the season. And it's gorgeously illustrated and presented -- a favorite of mine. I believe it's currently out-of-print and the price on Amazon was incredible.

2 people found this helpful

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L. Hales

Beautiful book

Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2009

Verified Purchase

I saw this book in a local book store and was astounded at the price! But after looking at it, I knew I had to have it if for nothing else but the beautiful illustrations! Luckily I found it at Amazon for a fraction of the book store's cost. I agree with everyone else that I would have liked a more definitve ending; however, it will make children who are read the story give some consideration to the feelings and well being of others, and again, it's well worth the cost for the beautiful illustrations.

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J. Campbell

It is a beautiful story either way

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2015

Verified Purchase

I actually saw this in my library in the large size, which is no longer available. It is a beautiful story either way. I bought it for my 3 yr old granddaughter, which was just an excuse for me to read it again & again!!

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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MD Healey

Sweet Story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2009

Verified Purchase

This is a lovely, accessible, story about goodwill, compassion and the real moral meaning of Christmas, told in a simple but engaging way.

The illustrations are gloriously traditional without being twee (in fact, the reminded me of Shirley Hughes most).

The text refers to a nativity play but not to the Christian story itself, so would be suitable for all but the most religious and most anti-religious families.

Recommended for primary-school children aged approximately 5 to 7.

8 people found this helpful

R Perkins

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2018

Verified Purchase

This wee story is so beautifully illustrated. I just wished that there was more of the story!

Madge

Beautiful book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 25, 2015

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Perfect Christmas book. The story and the illustrations are superb

house.full.of.books

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2016

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Beautifully written story, with gorgeous pictures. A real treasure!

FamilyFirst

This remains one of our favorite Christmas books...

Reviewed in Germany on September 9, 2017

Verified Purchase

... as it conveys the true meaning of Christmas and the illsutrations are wonderful! Wonderful for young and old! Must-own! Discovered it in our loca library in German.

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