Great Joy

Since Kate DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is one of my favorite contemporary children's books, I was eager to see this adaptation of the author's first picture book—2007's Great Joy—also illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. A simple, yet ultimately moving tale, this holiday story finds young Frances looking forward to participating in her church's Christmas pageant, but also worrying about the homeless organ grinder and his monkey on the snowy street corner below her apartment window. Frances' concerns are brushed aside by her mother, but on the day of the pageant the girl drops a nickel in the monkey's tin cup and extends an invitation to attend the performance. Thinking about the down-on-his-luck man and his monkey, Frances is later tongue-tied onstage, unable to deliver her sole line in the play—”Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy”—until the church doors suddenly open to admit a pair of latecomers. Ably narrated by Jane Curtin, with a fine soundtrack by Ernest V. Troost, the iconographic animation here seems a little sparse and rather static (even with the digital paintbox addition of falling snow). Still, Great Joy reminds us all of a child's simple capacity for goodness, and the DVD boasts an excellent bonus: a delightful interview with the impish DiCamillo. Also featuring a read-along option, this is recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Pitman)