Saturday, July 29, 2023

Book Review: 'Great Joy' by Kate DiCamillo

✰✰✰✰✰ As a little girl prepares for the Christmas pageant at church, she looks out the window and notices an organ grinder and his monkey. She wonders where they go at night when it’s cold and snowy, but no one else seems to care. On the eve of the pageant she invites the duo to church. When it’s time to say her single line, she just can’t; it just doesn’t seem right. All the little girl can think about is how cold it is and how sad the organ grinder looks. As everyone in church waits, the doors open, and the little girl knew it was time.

The Bottom Line: This gentle tale exemplifies the true spirit of Christmas. Ibatoulline’s luminous illustrations in acrylic gouache are stunning. Highly recommended for children in grades K - 2.

Details: Great Joy written by Kate DiCamillo & illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Picture book published by Candlewick Press in 2007. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-7636-2920-5 

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