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Title: Great Joy
ISBN: 0763629200
Author:
Kate Dicamillo
Publicate Date: 2007-10-09
Publish: 2007-10-09
List Price: $16.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Hardcover
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $8.98
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $8.24
Amazon Merchant Price: $10.44
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Two boys' review: Homelessness touches a child's heart
I've been looking for a way to broach the subject of homelessness with my two sons, ages 6 and 4. I'm trying to teach them to be thankful for their blessings and to look for opportunities to help the less fortunate. It was with this intent that I came across this picture book.
The WWII-era story begins in Frances' apartment, where she looks down on an old man, an organ grinder and his monkey working the cold, snowy corner of Fifth and Vine before Christmas. Frances is troubled by the man's plight and is saddened even more when she comes to realize he's homeless. She reaches out to him and in doing so invokes the book's title.
The book is warmly illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. The artwork reminded my sons of Chris Van Allsburg's classic The Polar Express.
In summary, the book is a heartfelt holiday story that provides means to discuss homelessness with young children. I recommend this book with five stars.
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2: Amazing illustrations, awful story
I have so many issues with the text of this book. As a picture book it is lovely to look at and has a very satisfying aesthetic. As a story, it is so unfinished that it leaves me cold. I had the chance to ask the author, at a talk, what happens to the man and the monkey after the pageant. She said "nothing, who knows, why does it matter". I understand that in some of her other works, like Because of Winn-Dixie, the readers are older children at an age to deal with ambiguity and either make up their own end, or move on. Explain to a 5 year old why the man and the monkey live on the street, explain why they have no home, tell your child why the indigent have no where to go after the pageant and while warm for now, the man and monkey will go back out to the cold after and sleep in the snow.
I am not saying picture books must be easy, trite and tied in big bows at the end...leaving things unresolved or open to interpretation is fine but it seems like a lot to bring up in so short a space, with no denouement or even brilliant enough verbage to justify the imperfections
Again, the illustrations are ethereal and dreamy. Very beautiful.
Just don't read it aloud, or read it at all.
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3: The debut picturebook of Newbery Medalist winner Kate DiCamillo
The debut picturebook of Newbery Medalist winner Kate DiCamillo, Great Joy is a heartwarming Christmas story about a young girl who loves to hear the music of the organ grinder, but is troubled by wondering where he and his monkey sleep during the cold nights. She can't get the problem out of her mind while preparing for the local Christmas pageant, but when the organ grinder comes to see it, her pageant line feels just like the right thing to say: "Behold! I bring you tidings of Great Joy." Singularly beautiful color illustrations grace this thoughtful holiday picturebook.
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4: Another wonderful book from this author
If the wonderfully written story itself does not touch your heart, the beautiful illustrations will. A lovely addition to what is becoming a Kate DiCamillo collection.
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5: Harkens back to a simpler time
Frances is excited. It's the week before Christmas, and the shops in her neighborhood are festively decorated and brightly lit. Then, one dark winter night she looks out her bedroom window and sees a monkey and an organ grinder on the street corner below. The monkey is dressed in a green vest and red hat. He holds a tin cup and dances to the sweet, sad music played by the organ grinder with the lonely eyes and pushbroom mustache. The man wears a winter cap and heavy overcoat to protect him from the snow and bitter cold.
As Christmas draws near, Frances prepares for her part as an angel in the church's Christmas pageant. During the performance she will wear a halo, a white robe and wings. She has a speaking part but is not afraid; she has memorized her one line. Yet, in the warmth of her upstairs apartment, as her mother puts the finishing touches on her costume, Frances can't concentrate on the pageant.
When Frances asks her mother where the man and the monkey sleep, her mother says, "I'm sure they go somewhere. Everyone goes somewhere."
Frances is not so sure.
One snowy night Frances stays awake past midnight and peeks outside. When she sees them on the sidewalk, huddled against the cold, she grows even more troubled.
The evening of the Christmas pageant Frances and her mother ease down the snow-crusted steps. Frances drops a coin in the monkey's tin cup and invites the organ grinder to watch the play at church.
Later on, in the middle of the stage, Frances stands very still. All eyes are on her. She opens her mouth, but the words won't come out. The world is quiet and everyone waits, including Frances.
GREAT JOY harkens back to a simpler time --- to a world of childhood innocence, wonder, trust and compassion --- a time when Christmas was an occasion for reverence, warmth and joy. Kate DiCamillo has written a lovely story for readers of all ages to share and to cherish. This slim and graceful book, with its simple yet timeless message, lives up to its title --- it does bring tidings of GREAT JOY.
--- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt
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