Great Joy, by Kate Di Camillo, is a children's Christmas picture book that captures the joy and meaning of the Christmas story. The luminous illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline wonderfully set the time and place of the story: the week before Christmas in a big city in the late 1940s. A little girl, Frances, is distracted from preparing for the Christmas pageant as she wonders and worries about the organ grinder and his monkey who have started performing on the street corner below her apartment house. She worries about where the organ grinder and his monkey sleep at night but is rebuffed by her mother when she tries to talk about them.
On the snowy evening of the Christmas pageant, despite being hurried by her mother, Frances stops to put a nickel in the monkey's cup and invites the organ grinder to come to the Christmas play at her church. When it comes time to say her line, Frances hesitates, still thinking of the organ grinder and his sad eyes. What happens next changes everything, and Frances is able to shout, with great joy and conviction, "Behold! I bring you tidings of Great Joy!"
The tender story of a compassionate child who wants to share the joy of Christmas, coupled with lovely and expressive artwork makes this book my favorite Christmas picture book of the year. I recommend it as a family read-aloud for all ages. It would also make an excellent gift. Compare prices. (Candlewick Press, 2007. ISBN: 9780763629205)
