Product Description

Just before Christmas, an organ grinder and his monkey appear on the street corner outside Frances' apartment. Frances can see them from her window and, sometimes, when it's quiet, she can hear their music. She can't stop thinking about them, especially after she sees the man and his monkey sleeping outside on the cold street at midnight. Even when it is her turn to speak in the Christmas play, all she can think about is the organ grinder's sad eyes. Everyone is silent until Frances finds the perfect words to share, just in time.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60553 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

About the Author
Kate DiCamillo is the Newbery Medal-winning author of The Tale Of Despereaux (9780744598698), The Tiger Rising (9780744589641), The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (9780763625894) and the award-winning bestseller Because of Winn-Dixie (9780744583496), which was recently made into a Hollywood film. She lives in Minneapolis, USA. Bagram Ibatoulline graduated from the State Academic Institute of Arts in Moscow and has illustrated numerous picture books, including The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and Hana in the Time of Tulips. Born in Russia, he now lives in New Jersey, USA.

Customer Reviews

Lovely Story
This is a truly lovely story with a beautiful lesson. The illustrations are excellent and there are so many things a teacher can discuss about this book with their students. I read it in the library and can't wait to get a copy of my own. I did feel that the plot was rushed and was surprised when I turned the page and found the story had ended.

Great book!
This is a truly moving book. It brought tears to my eyes. The girl's love and concern for a man that no one else cares for are a great lesson for all kids (and their parents!)

A Great Joy to Read!
This is a beautiful and sensitive Christmas picture book that is not about snowmen or reindeer or Santa Claus. It gets to the heart of Christmas with a few lines of story and beautiful illustrations of a simpler time in our history on each page. Without being preachy, it preaches a clear message that Christmas is about caring and welcoming the stranger into our lives. Adults may love it even more than children do.