Thursday, December 03, 2009

Great Joy


Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. 2007. Copy supplied by publisher, Candlewick.

The Plot:

Young Frances, preparing for a Christmas play, observes a monkey and organ grinder. Where do they go at night, she wonders? "Somewhere," her mother assures her. "Everyone goes somewhere." But Frances suspects this is not so.

The Good:

I think I have a new favorite illustrator. The illustrations, while in color, remind me of a 1940s movie; the mother, in particular, is right out of Miracle on 34th Street. There are other clues that it's set during or just after World War II: the cars and clothes, of course, but also the patriotic bunting, the framed photo of a man in uniform.

The ending is hopeful, rather than happy. The child invites the man and his monkey to the Christmas play; he comes, and the last two-page spread shows the organ grinder as part of the community. He and the mother are talking, as the monkey plays with the children.

The darkness in the story (the missing father, the organ grinder living on the streets, the family alone) is reinforced by the shades and shadows of the illustrations. This acknowledgement of the darkness in life is often found in DiCamillo books; to appreciate light, you need darkness; finding hope and joy means coming from a place with neither.

5 comments:

Michelle (Red Headed Book Child) said...

Oh I just love anything that Kate DiCamillo creates. I want this one for Christmas.

Hull.Margaret said...

Thanks for the post. Very informative and helpful
Penny

Terry Doherty said...

This one is on the elf's short list for the PJs and holiday book ... I think you may have just convinced the elf to move it to the top of the pile!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I'm so glad you reviewed this one. I've been wavering about whether or not I wanted to buy it. Now, I know that I do!

Amy said...

I need to read her stuff because everything you've described is what I love. ;)