A beautiful picture book. A lovely story about the real essence of Christmas. ( )

A young girl named Francis expresses curiosity over an organ grinder and his monkey, after seeing them from the window. One night, she sees them sleeping outside, and asks her mother if they can invite them to dinner. Her mother says no. On the way to her church Christmas pageant, Francis gives the man a nickel, and invites him to her pageant. Her mother encourages her to walk away. In the church, when the time came for Francis to say her line, she hesitated. Then, upon seeing the organ grinder and his monkey, with outstretched arms, Francis exclaims, "Behold! I bring you tidings of Great Joy!" This simple, yet touching, story shows how a young girl can do what many adults would not. Her pure desire to help the old man, or at least, acknowledge him, is very evident, both through the words and pictures. Kate DiCamillo, a Newbery Medal winner, shares a holiday story that can be read year-round. Bagram Ibatoulline's rich gouache illustrations provide picturesque scenes of the city, and reveal the book's main characters' inner feelings. The organ grinder appears old, tired, and cold, just as Francis saw him. For most of the story, she sees him from a distance, but managed to notice him, nonetheless. Her mother's face and body language show a mother with other worries, and she does not seem to want to become involved with this man, nor his monkey, in any way. The illustrations' colors are muted, and dream-like. In the last scene, we see everyone socializing together, probably in another room on the church grounds. The organ grinder took his jacket off, is smiling, and is talking to the mother, who is also smiling. We see the children playing with the monkey. Out of the cold, the old man blends in with the rest of the crowd, looking like any other man, which is, perhaps, just how Francis saw him from the start. ( )

This book is an example of realistic fiction. This represents a story that could easily happen in present day life. Students could likely see themselves or others in this same position. This allows the students to easily relate to the characters. It tells the truths of how people interact with with other people from all economic levels. I would use this book in an intermediate classroom. The type of media used is pastels. ( )

This is one of the most beautiful picture books I've ever seen. Just published in 2007, I think it's destined to become a treasured family classic that children and their parents will want to return to each Christmas season.

Written by Newbery award winning Kate Dicamillo and illustrated by the talented Bagram Ibatoulline, *Great Joy* tells the story of a young girl named Frances who is anticipating (with great joy!) her small part in her church's annual Christmas pageant. The story is set in the 1940s (a fact not mentioned in the text, but evident from the illustrations). Frances and her mother often see an organ grinder and his monkey on the corner, and Frances, with the curiosity of many young children, wonders where the man and his monkey go at night when it's cold. Her concern for their welfare translates into an invitation to them to come to the pageant.

This is a poignant and beautiful book, from the golden end papers to the light-filled illustrations. Both story and text gently evoke the longings and hopes of the Christmas season, and show how joyful the good news of that season is when it's truly proclaimed to all. A great family read-aloud. ( )

Excellent story with great illustrations and an important message for all to hear. The compassion a young girl , Frances, has for a homeless organ grinder and his monkey. ( )