BOOKS

Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch

by Diana MURRAY
illus. by Heather Ross. 32p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. Jul. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062264480.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2—Grimelda the witch would love to try a new recipe but can't seem to locate the most important ingredient, pickle root. Realizing that cleaning her extremely cluttered house is the only way she'll find it, she sweeps, scrubs, and organizes "all night and half a day" till the house is tidy and she finds the pickle root, among other important things. But what self-respecting witch lives in a clean house? Children will love the Seussian rhymes that don't miss a beat and will enjoy following a tricky little spider determined to keep the missing ingredient from Grimelda.
VERDICT The length is perfect for storytimes, and the illustrations are engrossing. A fun, nonscary selection for year-round sharing.
Reviewed by Melisa Bailey, Harford County Library System, MD
Young witch Grimelda delights in her cluttered home ("That's the proper witch's way") until the mess prevents her from preparing a new recipe: "Where'd I put that pickle root?" She embarks on a not-so-witchy project-cleaning her house-and the hunt for the pickle root is both endearing and amusing. Playful, singsong rhymes will hold readers' attentions while making Grimelda's plight (having to clean her messy space) relatable. Bright, cartoonlike digital illustrations emphasize Grimelda's haphazard life, and the circular ending ("Now...where'd I put that pickle root?") will have readers giggling. simran p. gupta
Young witch Grimelda delights in her cluttered home until it prevents her from preparing a new recipe: "Where'd I put that pickle root?" She embarks on a not-so-witchy project--cleaning her house--and the hunt for the pickle root is both endearing and amusing. Playful, singsong rhymes will hold readers' attention, while bright, cartoonlike digital illustrations emphasize Grimelda's haphazard life.
 , Sep 01, 2016

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