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Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch
Grimelda’s house may not be tidy, but it’s cozy, and that’s just the way she likes it. She also likes pickle pie. There’s only one problem—she can’t find the main ingredient in her messy house! Readers who enjoyed Norman Bridwell’s classic The Witch Next Door will love this funny, charming story about the everyday life of a witch.
With a repeating refrain and lively, rhyming text, Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch is perfect for reading aloud with a child at Halloween as well as all year round, or for an emerging reader to enjoy on their own. The vibrant illustrations by Crafty Chloe illustrator Heather Ross provide plenty of fun things for readers to discover on repeated reads.
With a repeating refrain and lively, rhyming text, Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch is perfect for reading aloud with a child at Halloween as well as all year round, or for an emerging reader to enjoy on their own. The vibrant illustrations by Crafty Chloe illustrator Heather Ross provide plenty of fun things for readers to discover on repeated reads.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 26, 2016
2 people are currently reading
609 people want to read
About the author
Diana Murray
30 books274 followersDiana Murray is the author of UNICORN NIGHT (an Amazon Best Book of the Year from the bestselling UNICORN DAY series) and GOODNIGHT, VEGGIES (a Jr. Library Guild Selection), as well as many other picture books and early readers. Diana grew up in New York City and still lives nearby with her husband, two creative kids, and a dancing dog. http://www.dianamurray.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
October 22, 2018
There is a lot I can relate to with Grimelda. I read this to the kids and they did enjoy the book. They also teased me mercilessly and started calling me Grimelda.
Grimelda lives in a messy house where she can’t find anything like I live in a messy room where I can only find half the things I need. There is even a priceless moment when Grimelda finds a comb and as she is combing her hair, her spell book falls out of my hair. This made the kids chuckle and my niece asked me if she could comb my hair to see what books I have up there. It was funny, but my hair is not that bad. I am a bit of an absent minded student at the moment, but I comb my hair.
Grimelda is trying to do a spell and she can’t find the ingredients anywhere. She ends up having to clean her room. After she finds the item, she then casts a spell to put everything back to a mess and then she can’t find something again.
It is a cute story and we had fun reading it and making me the butt of the joke. I guess I deserve it. I’m a little overwhelmed with school right now.
Grimelda lives in a messy house where she can’t find anything like I live in a messy room where I can only find half the things I need. There is even a priceless moment when Grimelda finds a comb and as she is combing her hair, her spell book falls out of my hair. This made the kids chuckle and my niece asked me if she could comb my hair to see what books I have up there. It was funny, but my hair is not that bad. I am a bit of an absent minded student at the moment, but I comb my hair.
Grimelda is trying to do a spell and she can’t find the ingredients anywhere. She ends up having to clean her room. After she finds the item, she then casts a spell to put everything back to a mess and then she can’t find something again.
It is a cute story and we had fun reading it and making me the butt of the joke. I guess I deserve it. I’m a little overwhelmed with school right now.
August 25, 2020
"Grimelda's house was black with grime / and stacked with jars of mold and slime, / and ogre's breath, and spotted snails, / and oozing goo in rusty pails" In fact, this messy witch's house was such a disaster that when she decided to make her favorite delicacy of pickle pie, she simply couldn't find the key ingredient. Searching for it, both at home and at the store, did no good, so Grimelda finally had to take the drastic step of cleaning...
With a rhyming text from author Diana Murray that is great fun to read aloud, and colorful, cute illustrations from artist Heather Ross that accentuate the sense of humor throughout, Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch would make an excellent story-time selection, especially at Halloween time. Many young listeners will be able to identify with the witchy heroine's reluctance to clean up her house, and will chuckle at the somewhat gross things she finds, when she finally does get motivated to do something about the mess. The conclusion, in which her house , will no doubt also win a chuckle. Recommended to picture-book readers who enjoy witchy fare, and to anyone seeking children's stories about being messy.
With a rhyming text from author Diana Murray that is great fun to read aloud, and colorful, cute illustrations from artist Heather Ross that accentuate the sense of humor throughout, Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch would make an excellent story-time selection, especially at Halloween time. Many young listeners will be able to identify with the witchy heroine's reluctance to clean up her house, and will chuckle at the somewhat gross things she finds, when she finally does get motivated to do something about the mess. The conclusion, in which her house , will no doubt also win a chuckle. Recommended to picture-book readers who enjoy witchy fare, and to anyone seeking children's stories about being messy.
October 30, 2016
"Messed is best, I always say.
That's the proper witch's way."
Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch is such a cute and fun Halloween book for kids to read to get in the spirit of Halloween! I love all the bright colors and the cute illustrations.
Grimelda is such a charming and lively young witch who loves to make pickle pie but she also loves to live really messy and when she begins to look for the ingredients to make her special pickle pie, she realizes that she is missing the main ingredient! and this begins her search throughout her messy house to find the pickle root and along the way she finds lots of other items and things that she didn't realize she was missing! So fun!
Grimelda's messy rooms are full of all kinds of spooky items like ogre's breath, creepy party books, scream cheese spread, "rot" sauce, bugs and lots of snails! Grimelda has lots of spooky yet fun items all throughout her house and it was fun to see what all she found as she was cleaning her messy house!
"Grimelda reached inside her tree.
She found her stinkweed potpourri
and lots of other missing loot,
but where'd she put that pickle root?"
This book is such a fun and entertaining book to read with your child and parents can look through the book with their child and and enjoy all the fun, cute illustrations in the book. I especially love the kitty cat, Wizzlewarts!!
I definitely recommend this book to any parent who has a child that loves Halloween and enjoys getting into the spirit of the holiday!
http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.bl...
That's the proper witch's way."
Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch is such a cute and fun Halloween book for kids to read to get in the spirit of Halloween! I love all the bright colors and the cute illustrations.
Grimelda is such a charming and lively young witch who loves to make pickle pie but she also loves to live really messy and when she begins to look for the ingredients to make her special pickle pie, she realizes that she is missing the main ingredient! and this begins her search throughout her messy house to find the pickle root and along the way she finds lots of other items and things that she didn't realize she was missing! So fun!
Grimelda's messy rooms are full of all kinds of spooky items like ogre's breath, creepy party books, scream cheese spread, "rot" sauce, bugs and lots of snails! Grimelda has lots of spooky yet fun items all throughout her house and it was fun to see what all she found as she was cleaning her messy house!
"Grimelda reached inside her tree.
She found her stinkweed potpourri
and lots of other missing loot,
but where'd she put that pickle root?"
This book is such a fun and entertaining book to read with your child and parents can look through the book with their child and and enjoy all the fun, cute illustrations in the book. I especially love the kitty cat, Wizzlewarts!!
I definitely recommend this book to any parent who has a child that loves Halloween and enjoys getting into the spirit of the holiday!
http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.bl...
August 13, 2016
“Grimelda’s house was black with grime
and stacked with jars of mold and slime,
and ogre’s breath, and spotted snails,
and oozing goo in rusty pails.”
Well, a dirty, grimy house may be this witch’s way, but she cannot be too happy when she craves pickle pie and cannot find every ingredient needed. She knows that indescribable ingredient is in her home—somewhere. What is it she cannot find? A special ingredient called “pickle root.” Yep, pickle root. What else would you need to make pickle pie? Not that it matters, since Grimelda cannot find her pickle root.
I think Diana Murray is one of the best new rhyming authors in kid lit. In a few years, she may well be at the top of a very talented list. As for Grimelda, I think she is a winner. If she were to star in a new picture book or two, it would be a series worth investing in. With Grimelda’s adorable attitude, she could teach young children many things (like not losing one’s pickle root or spell book).
Originally reviewed at Kid Lit Reviews. To read the complete review, and see interior illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/GrimeldaTheVeryMessyWitch
and stacked with jars of mold and slime,
and ogre’s breath, and spotted snails,
and oozing goo in rusty pails.”
Well, a dirty, grimy house may be this witch’s way, but she cannot be too happy when she craves pickle pie and cannot find every ingredient needed. She knows that indescribable ingredient is in her home—somewhere. What is it she cannot find? A special ingredient called “pickle root.” Yep, pickle root. What else would you need to make pickle pie? Not that it matters, since Grimelda cannot find her pickle root.
I think Diana Murray is one of the best new rhyming authors in kid lit. In a few years, she may well be at the top of a very talented list. As for Grimelda, I think she is a winner. If she were to star in a new picture book or two, it would be a series worth investing in. With Grimelda’s adorable attitude, she could teach young children many things (like not losing one’s pickle root or spell book).
Originally reviewed at Kid Lit Reviews. To read the complete review, and see interior illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/GrimeldaTheVeryMessyWitch
November 2, 2016
I received this book from Goodreads.
Cuteness alert!
Grimelda: The very Messy Witch will steal your heart on the spooky, dark nights of October.
Grimelda's house was black with grim
and stacked with jars of mold and slime,
and ogre's breath. and spotted snails and oozing goo in rusty pails.
Grimelda is a witch after my own heart. We share similar taste in cleanliness.
"Messed is best,
I always say.
That's the proper witch's way."
And like a proper young witch, her house is a mess with odds and ends, a swamp outside, and a spooky forest surrounding it. The attention to detail is stunning. Look closely and you might spy the strangest things hidden in the artwork.
Unfortunately, when things are a mess it is hard to keep up with where every little thing is.
"But where'd I put that pickle root?"
Pickle root is a important ingredient for pickle pie. The problem is...Grimelda can't find the jar of pickle root because of all of that mess! So, she does something unthinkable of a witch.... She picks up her broom and uses it for something other than flying. She CLEANS. Can you imagine?
But desperate times call for desperate measures.
Follow spunky Grimelda around her house as she uncovers things lost for years, and let this sweet little book transport you to another place far away from pesky mops, dust rags, and cleaners.
Cuteness alert!
Grimelda: The very Messy Witch will steal your heart on the spooky, dark nights of October.
Grimelda's house was black with grim
and stacked with jars of mold and slime,
and ogre's breath. and spotted snails and oozing goo in rusty pails.
Grimelda is a witch after my own heart. We share similar taste in cleanliness.
"Messed is best,
I always say.
That's the proper witch's way."
And like a proper young witch, her house is a mess with odds and ends, a swamp outside, and a spooky forest surrounding it. The attention to detail is stunning. Look closely and you might spy the strangest things hidden in the artwork.
Unfortunately, when things are a mess it is hard to keep up with where every little thing is.
"But where'd I put that pickle root?"
Pickle root is a important ingredient for pickle pie. The problem is...Grimelda can't find the jar of pickle root because of all of that mess! So, she does something unthinkable of a witch.... She picks up her broom and uses it for something other than flying. She CLEANS. Can you imagine?
But desperate times call for desperate measures.
Follow spunky Grimelda around her house as she uncovers things lost for years, and let this sweet little book transport you to another place far away from pesky mops, dust rags, and cleaners.
April 1, 2016
I was fortunate to receive an early F&G of GRIMELDA: THE VERY MESSY WITCH. I read it with my sons, age 9 and 6, at bedtime. They do not give compliments freely, but they loved this book! My 9 year old laughed out loud at Grimelda's messy home (probably bc he can relate to it, as it looks exactly like his bedroom) and both kids loved the little twist at the end. The joke about her hair was especially a favorite. The rhyme was fun, catchy, and easy to read, and I love how the artist gave a "messy" look to the artwork, which perfectly complimented the text. Grimelda is a great read aloud for kids who don't always love to put their things away, and the parents/teachers who beg them to!
April 5, 2016
Writing in rhyme is HARD, but Diana Murray makes it seem easy as (pickle) pie. It doesn't take a spell to relate to Grimelda: "Messed is best, I always say. That's the proper writer's way." Writer?!? No. Witch's. Witch's way. This book is certainly not about me or my desk or my house. . .
I LOVED the humor and the surprises in this book. But more importantly, my boys (8 and 10) loveloveloved this book, too. We hope Grimelda will be flying into a series faster than you can say, "WIZZLEWARTS!"
I LOVED the humor and the surprises in this book. But more importantly, my boys (8 and 10) loveloveloved this book, too. We hope Grimelda will be flying into a series faster than you can say, "WIZZLEWARTS!"
November 3, 2016
Grimelda is a VERY messy witch and she's absolutely adorable!
This book is perfect for your own messy little one and is sure to elicit giggles and a tidy up frenzy the next time one is in need of some pickle root.
The artwork is everything a child will adore as you read the easy verse together.
This book is perfect for your own messy little one and is sure to elicit giggles and a tidy up frenzy the next time one is in need of some pickle root.
The artwork is everything a child will adore as you read the easy verse together.
January 1, 2018
Mi nuevo picture book favorito en inglés!!!! A modo de rima súper ingeniosa conoceremos a la adorable Grimelda y sus grandes aventuras de pequeña brujita. Las ilustraciones me encantaron, los trazos combinan perfecto con Grimelda y su entorno desordenado y colorido. Ideal para Halloween o si se quiere leer algo similar a Dr. Seuss.
April 2, 2016
Grimelda is a messy witch after my own heart. With all the mess, poor Grimelda can’t find her pickle root to make pickle pie. What’s a poor messy witch in a pickle supposed to do? Messy and tidy kids of all ages will love the humor in this story. It’s messy, witchtastic fun!
October 30, 2021
Diana Murray is so great at rhyming stories! This was adorable and perfect for the spooky season.
December 24, 2021
Very cute with fantastic detail!
September 23, 2019
Super adorable witch that is messy and can't find an ingredient to brew her potion. Perfect Halloween book, beautifully illustrated.
October 8, 2018
Adorable!
October 4, 2018
I feel like if I was a kid and a witch then I totally could be Grimelda. I am a red headed mess. I am always looking for something that I am missing and the same is true of Grimelda. She can't find an ingredient she needs to make one of her potions and so she is forced to clean her room and she finds all sorts of crazy things. A fun and very relatable story.
October 1, 2018
“Messed is best, I always say. That’s the proper witch’s way.”
Grimelda doesn’t mind a messy house, but sometimes it is awfully hard to find things ... especially that pickle root. So, after searching high and low, she realizes she has no choice but to clean so that she can find what she needs.
Grimelda doesn’t mind a messy house, but sometimes it is awfully hard to find things ... especially that pickle root. So, after searching high and low, she realizes she has no choice but to clean so that she can find what she needs.
March 7, 2017
Grimelda is a messy witch who loves her home as it is. However, messiness sometimes makes it hard to find things, like the pickle root she needs for a pickle pie. Armed with rhymes and a good eye, Grimelda does her best to sort through her mess.
What I Loved:
The rhymes in GRIMELDA: THE VERY MESSY WITCH are adorable and are sure to delight young readers. While pictures books involving witches are usually favored for Halloween, this cute story focuses on one simple day for a witch, making it fun for any time of the year.
With so much detail in the illustrations, there’s plenty of unique items to pick out and watch for. However, the animals in the background, ranging from bats to cats and more, are adorable and add extra hilarity. We also see a plethora of witchy ingredients as Grimeleda searches for the pickle root, which create the perfect supernatural tone.
What Left Me Wanting More:
While there is much to enjoy in this picture book, Grimelda’s facial expressions are often awkward and stand out from the rest of the illustrations. This isn’t the case every time, but enough to be a distraction.
Final Verdict:
Though there are lacking elements to the story, GRIMELDA: THE VERY MESSY WITCH is ultimately an adorable story about finding your own way of living that makes you happy.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfic...
What I Loved:
The rhymes in GRIMELDA: THE VERY MESSY WITCH are adorable and are sure to delight young readers. While pictures books involving witches are usually favored for Halloween, this cute story focuses on one simple day for a witch, making it fun for any time of the year.
With so much detail in the illustrations, there’s plenty of unique items to pick out and watch for. However, the animals in the background, ranging from bats to cats and more, are adorable and add extra hilarity. We also see a plethora of witchy ingredients as Grimeleda searches for the pickle root, which create the perfect supernatural tone.
What Left Me Wanting More:
While there is much to enjoy in this picture book, Grimelda’s facial expressions are often awkward and stand out from the rest of the illustrations. This isn’t the case every time, but enough to be a distraction.
Final Verdict:
Though there are lacking elements to the story, GRIMELDA: THE VERY MESSY WITCH is ultimately an adorable story about finding your own way of living that makes you happy.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfic...
June 30, 2016
A cheery, roll-clicking rhyme of a book that is sure to entertain the child reader while its theme of messiness is sure to please parents.
Grimelda is a happy, go-lucky witch who enjoys her messy house until she can’t find the pickle root. So she begins her search of the house and the yard. While successful in finding last year’s bathing suit, no luck on the pickle root. She flies to Zelda’s store but no luck there either. Then she does what everyone has been waiting for and starts cleaning and finds the pickle root. But don’t worry the story doesn’t end there on such a predictable note, the twist thrown in is true to Grimelda’s character and the accompanying consequence.
Kids will enjoy getting immersed into Grimelda’s world – missing pickle root, spell book, scream cheese spread. The illustrator’s child-appealing, messy loose art is a perfect match for Grimelda. I loved the richness the art brings to the character’s world.
The book definitely has read-aloud and re-readability charms.
Grimelda is a happy, go-lucky witch who enjoys her messy house until she can’t find the pickle root. So she begins her search of the house and the yard. While successful in finding last year’s bathing suit, no luck on the pickle root. She flies to Zelda’s store but no luck there either. Then she does what everyone has been waiting for and starts cleaning and finds the pickle root. But don’t worry the story doesn’t end there on such a predictable note, the twist thrown in is true to Grimelda’s character and the accompanying consequence.
Kids will enjoy getting immersed into Grimelda’s world – missing pickle root, spell book, scream cheese spread. The illustrator’s child-appealing, messy loose art is a perfect match for Grimelda. I loved the richness the art brings to the character’s world.
The book definitely has read-aloud and re-readability charms.
January 1, 2017
Murray, Diana Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch, illustrated by Heather Ross. PICTURE BOOK.
Harper Collins, 2016. $16.99.
Grimelda is a messy witch. But her house is so messy that she cannot find the ingredient she needs to make her pickle pie. She would cast a finding spell - if only she knew where her spellbook was! After an exhaustive search, alas, she must clean her house to find the lost items. But can a messy witch be happy in a clean house?
Clever writing and rhyming text makes this a perfect holiday read aloud. The illustrations are colorful and fun with lots to discover on every page. Young readers will delight in the yuck and goo and everyone will enjoy this adorable and hilarious witch. This is sure to be a new Halloween favorite but can easily be enjoyed year-round.
EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jen M. Elementary Librarian
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...
Harper Collins, 2016. $16.99.
Grimelda is a messy witch. But her house is so messy that she cannot find the ingredient she needs to make her pickle pie. She would cast a finding spell - if only she knew where her spellbook was! After an exhaustive search, alas, she must clean her house to find the lost items. But can a messy witch be happy in a clean house?
Clever writing and rhyming text makes this a perfect holiday read aloud. The illustrations are colorful and fun with lots to discover on every page. Young readers will delight in the yuck and goo and everyone will enjoy this adorable and hilarious witch. This is sure to be a new Halloween favorite but can easily be enjoyed year-round.
EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jen M. Elementary Librarian
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...
November 19, 2016
“Grimelda’s house was black with grime and stacked with jars of mold and slime, and ogre’s breath, and spotted snails, and oozing goo in rusty pails.”
This book has been a huge hit this month. My daughter even dressed as Grimelda for her school's character book parade. Grimelda is on the hunt for her lost pickle root, an ingredient she needs to make a pie. Unfortunately, she is rather messy and has misplaced it ... or has she?!? The reader follows a cute rhyme as Grimelda cleans up and finds all kinds of lost things. My daughter thinks it's hysterical when she finds her spell book! The illustrations are incredibly cute. Keep an eye out for the spider as you read along!! Love the fact that it's a witch book that can be read all year long.
October 6, 2016
I go back and forth on this one - on the one hand, I'm super glad this didn't turn into a morality tale about the importance of keeping a spotless house. *Nobody* keeps a truly spotless house. Tidy is cool, but you also have to live there. But on the other hand, cleaning your house to find one or two key things, and then instantly magicking it back to a mess isn't exactly ideal, either.
Whatever, it's a picture book, and I'm overthinking things. The rhyme scheme was good, and I really liked the illustrations.
Whatever, it's a picture book, and I'm overthinking things. The rhyme scheme was good, and I really liked the illustrations.
December 21, 2016
Funny and Rhyming. Grimelda is a messy witch who can not find her pickle root to make a pickle pie. She turns her house inside out searching and finally uses her flying broom to clean up. She finds everything from her missing boot to her spells book. When she finally finds her pickle root, she takes a minute to re-mess her house just the way she likes it. But when she does, guess what one ingredient she can't find? Lots of laughs.
February 10, 2017
This is a story of a young witch who is so messy she cannot find the one ingredient she needs to finish her recipe for pickle pie. The illustrations are very detailed and shows the messiness. I think the word count is large, too. It will appeal to lower elementary girls to read but probably not the boys. Rhyme scheme all the way through. Good read aloud with the rhythm and rhyme around the Halloween holiday.
September 19, 2016
Grimelda is a very messy witch and cannot find a key ingredient for one of her spells. The story takes us on a rhyming journey as Grimelda looks everywhere and THEN decides to tidy her home to try and find her missing pickle root. Cute illustrations and story about needing to keep things tidy. Both kids enjoyed.
March 23, 2017
Grimelda is indeed a messy witch, and can't find what she needs for her next recipe. Cleaning up yields every ingredient and more--though this is no tale about keeping the house clean, because Grimelda's charming mess is most comfortable after all.
October 5, 2016
A cute story about a very messy witch (girl).
While I really enjoyed the rhyming text of the book, it's the illustrations that steal the show. Very expressive critters and creatures adorn the pages of this fun book.
While I really enjoyed the rhyming text of the book, it's the illustrations that steal the show. Very expressive critters and creatures adorn the pages of this fun book.
April 3, 2018
Where is that pesky pickle root??? Who doesn't love a good witch book? The rhyming scheme is very effective in telling this fun tale of a messy witch who has to go to extreme measures in her desire to make a pickle pie, only to end up right back where she started.
April 2, 2019
This is a cute rhyming story about a little witch whose house was very messy. One day she wanted to try a recipe for pickle pie but couldn't find it in all the mess. The story is about all she went through to find it, and the funny things she did find. Great illustrations and funny ending.
March 14, 2017
Ha, I can see myself a little in Grimelda. I wonder if I have a spell book hiding out in my hair!
October 10, 2017
This was adorable!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews