Looking out her window to the snowy city streets below, bustling with holiday shoppers and the twinkling lights of storefronts, Frances notices something. An organ grinder and his monkey have appeared on the corner of Fifth and Vine. The man plays music for all to hear while the monkey, in his green vest and red cap, holds out a collection cup. Frances watches them keenly as they play through the day and into the evening. “Where do they go at night?” she asks her mother. Her mother hushes her and supposes that they must go somewhere. Unsatisfied, Frances keeps herself awake until midnight. Looking out the window, she sees the duo on the corner, huddling in the cold. The organ grinder raises his hat to Frances in the window above. In the morning, Frances asks if they can come to dinner. “Oh, Frances . . . They’re strangers.” On the way to her Christmas pageant, Frances drops a coin in the monkey’s cup and invites both man and monkey to watch her be an angel in the church play. Beautiful acrylic illustrations capture the outer cold and inner warmth of the season, and illuminate how one small act can produce great joy. (Ages 5–9)

In her first picture book, America’s beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo
reunites with Bagram Ibatoulline to offer readers an unforgettable holiday gift.

It is just before Christmas when an organ grinder and monkey appear on
the street corner outside Frances’s apartment. Frances can see them from
her window and, sometimes, when it’s quiet, she can hear their music. In fact, Frances can’t stop thinking about them, especially after she sees the man and his monkey sleeping outside on the cold street at midnight. When the day of the Christmas pageant arrives, and it’s Frances’s turn to
speak, everyone waits silently. But all Frances can think about is the organ grinder’s sad eyes — until, just in time, she finds the perfect words to
share. Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo pairs once again with acclaimed
artist Bagram Ibatoulline as she presents a timeless story of compassion
and joy.