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Title details for Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo - Available

Great Joy

by Kate DiCamillo
Bagram Ibatoulline
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available
"Newbery Medalist DiCamillo spins a tale of compassion and holiday warmth." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

It is just before Christmas when an organ grinder and monkey appear on the street outside Frances's apartment. When it's quiet she can hear their music, and when she looks out her window at midnight, she sees them sleeping outside. Finally the day of the Christmas pageant arrives, but when it's Frances's turn to speak, all she can think about is the organ grinder's sad eyes — until a door opens just in time, and she finds the perfect words to share. With this luminous tale, Kate DiCamillo pairs with Bagram Ibatoulline to offer a timeless holiday gift.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    October 1, 2008

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781339052908
      • File size: 11899 KB
      • Duration: 00:24:47

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • Lexile® Measure: 680
    • Text Difficulty: 3

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      An organ-grinder and his monkey play music outside little Frances's window just before Christmas. Frances stays up one night and discovers that the two sleep on the street. Jane Curtin's insightful narration of this gentle, poignant tale is expressive yet elegant. Her assured voice-- sometimes amused, sometimes compassionate-- illuminates the story's fullest meaning. Whether capturing Frances's childlike innocence or her mother's parental, world-weary tones, Curtin's characterizations bring the story to life. Ernest V. Troost's musical illustrations greatly enhance the story. In addition to the lilting sounds of an organ, Troost uses music to build the drama of Frances's stage fright, and even to suggest the glittering flash of sequins on the monkey's costume. This production is thoughtfully put together--and thought-provoking for the listener. J.C.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from October 22, 2007
      With spot-on storytelling rhythms and pacing, Newbery Medalist DiCamillo spins a tale of compassion and holiday warmth from a most unlikely image. Frances is so preoccupied by the hard-luck organ grinder and monkey she can see from her apartment window that it's hard to focus on the fast-approaching church Christmas pageant. It's not until the man and monkey make their way to the performance (at Frances's invitation) that her words, “Behold! I bring you tidings of great joy,” make perfect sense to her. Ibatoulline's (The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
      ) WWII-era scenes have a subdued yet comforting glow, illuminated by streetlamps and stage lights. Ages 4-8.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:680
  • Text Difficulty:3

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