"A fresh trick-or-treating tale with plenty of read-aloud potential.
The rhyming text results in an ideal preschool read-aloud, with the bouncing stanzas keeping a snappy pace. The children's unflagging optimism in the face of setbacks is an excellent lesson in making lemonade out of lemons, while Grizelda's change of heart emphasizes the rewards of generosity. Longhi's cheery cartoonish illustrations complement the storytelling; a palette of deep aquas with accents of purple, gold, and orange reflects the night sky and sets an appropriately spooky tone. (Picture book. 4-7)"
Kirkus Reviews
"Original, clever, and a fun read from cover to cover, Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween is thoroughly 'kid friendly' and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Holiday/Halloween picture book collections for children ages 4-8."
The Midwest Book Review
"This book will bring lighthearted cheer to young readers... A good addition for libraries seeking to enhance their young children's Halloween collections."
School Library Journal
"A.A. Livingston's use of rhythm and rhyme makes the text delightfully trip off the tongue."
Portland Book Review (4.5 stars)
"Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween is a fun and silly book that is told in rhyme, which is perfect for ringing in Halloween. Children ages 4 and up will enjoy seeing how Grizelda tries to ruin the holiday, but how the children embrace the new challenges that await them. They will also enjoy seeing how Grizelda is incorporated into the holiday with the trick-or-treaters to change her perspective on the holiday."
YA Books Central
"I loved how funny it was. It was one of those great books that's obviously intended for children, but is really funny to read as an adult, too."
Oscar-nominated narrator Carey Mulligan, in an interview with The Week Junior Magazine
"Your delightfully clean work is akin to some blissful, alchemical mashup of Harry Potter, Monty Python, and the great and venerable Terry Pratchett; it accomplishes all this while still remaining utterly unique in its own right."
Kris B., Librarian, on Audible.com
"I really loved how he was the antihero. The female characters are well-written, the story is original, and it was really creative in the use of magic."
Madilyne Palmer, on Audible.com
"Highly recommended for kids and adults enjoyed it as well. We started listening to this for 30 minutes each night before bed and each night it became longer and longer because we couldn't stop."
Matt M., on Audible.com
"I had such an enjoyable time listening to this story! It was engaging, entertaining, and funny! I really enjoyed all the characters, especially Tori. Definitely a must listen-to."
Kim C., on amazon.com
"Expect screeches of recognition from astute readers as they pore over Joey Chou's illustrations of the landscape while Lolly and Bear attempt to catch the Gingerbread Man... [T]his picture book [is] a treat."
The Florida Times-Union Newspaper
"Forget the scared little girl who burgled the bear family, Lolly is an inventor with pluck, destined to create her own perfect porridge... Chou's illustrations are like an animated rainbow, and his rendering of the duo's scientific process gives life to Livingston's revisionist version of this classic story. The values of perseverance, forgiveness, and helpfulness are present but not heavy-handed. VERDICT: Budding scientists might just be inspired by Lolly's tinkering to create their own master recipes."
School Library Journal
"Chou's bright illustrations are full of nifty details... The mix of fairy tales is fun...
Kirkus Reviews
"[A]dorable...Ridiculously cute illustrations make it fun to look over each and every page."
Katrina, outnumbered3-1.com/
"Livingston...riffs on Goldilocks in a story about best friends Lolly and B. Bear:
'And why not? They liked the same porridge, the same chair, and the same comfy bed.'
... Livingston's sense of humor and Chou's fairytale landscape result in an enjoyable story."
Publishers Weekly
"Chou's brightly colored digital illustrations are a nifty exercise in character spotting, as he hides other fairy-tale characters and settings; Lolly's shortcut passes by an infamous house of straw. And Livingston plays up the original 'Goldilocks' fairy tale when the duo goes shopping for supplies...it's a relatively appealing addition to the fractured-fairy-tale and back-to-school shelves."
Kirkus Reviews
