Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween

by A.A. Livingston, Katya Longhi (Illustrator)

Overview

Told in silly, rhyming text, this is a not-so-scary Halloween tale about a grouchy old witch named Grizelda the Green who tries to destroy Halloween! Perfect for fans of Room on the Broom and How to Catch a Witch!

There's an old witch in town named Grizelda the Green.
She's sour and grouchy and HATES Halloween!
"Year after year, kids keep finding my door.
I'm fed up and frazzled! I can't take anymore!"

Meet Grizelda the Green. She's a grouchy old witch and she absolutely, positively, HATES Halloween! So this year, she's cooked up a plan to end the holiday once and for all. But both she and the trick-or-treaters are in for some surprises that will make this the most memorable Halloween ever!

Told in silly and clever rhyme by bestselling author A. A. Livingston, and brought to life with bright and colorful art by Katya Longhi, Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween is perfect for not-so-scary Halloween storytimes and for fans of Room on the Broom and How to Catch a Witch!

Praise for Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween:

"The rhyming text results in an ideal preschool read-aloud, with the bouncing stanzas keeping a snappy pace . . . A fresh trick-or-treating tale with plenty of read-aloud potential." —Kirkus reviews

"This book will bring lighthearted cheer to young readers . . .A good addition for ­libraries seeking to ­enhance their young children’s ­Halloween ­collections." SLJ reviews

"Original, clever, and a fun read from cover to cover, Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween is thoroughly 'kid friendly' and unreservedly recommended for Halloween picture book collections." --Midwest Book Review/Children's Book Watch

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593692271
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	07/22/2025
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

A. A. Livingston is the author of the picture books B. Bear and Lolly: Catch That Cookie! and B. Bear and Lolly: Off to School and the co-author of the hit audiobook The Worst Warlock. She is also a New York Times bestselling author and has written over 300 books for children. She lives outside of Portland, Oregon with her husband and son. Visit A. A. Livingston online at AALivingston.com

Katya Longhi was born in Modica, a small town in Southern Italy. When she was a child she drew everything she saw. Katya studied at the Art Academy in Florena and the Nemo NT Academy of Digital Arts. She is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including The Story of Easter and Here Comes Fall. In her spare time, Katya loves to read and collect snow globes. She currently works as a freelance illustrator based in Trento, Italy.

Editorial Reviews

"Sick of Halloween, a misanthropic witch takes matters into her own hands . . . 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.
A fresh trick-or-treating tale with plenty of read-aloud potential." —Kirkus reviews



"This book will bring lighthearted cheer to young readers . . .A good addition for ­libraries seeking to ­enhance their young children’s ­Halloween ­collections." SLJ 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." --Midwest Book Review/Children's Book Watch

From the Publisher

2025-03-22
Sick of Halloween, a misanthropic witch takes matters into her own hands.

Grizelda the Green loathes the trick-or-treaters who knock on her door each year, scaring her spiders, her pet dragon, and her cauldron. So she cooks up a plan to take the joy out of the holiday. As she casts spells, pumpkins explode and streetlights shatter. Undeterred, the children persist; after all, they have flashlights! The kids aren’t bothered even when Grizelda makes their candy horribly unappetizing (worms and slime, anyone?). Instead, they’re thrilled at the prospect of meeting a real live witch. “Your magic gave us the best Halloween ever!” a young girl declares. Grizelda is moved; turns out, even witches love helping others and being appreciated in return. 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. The kids are racially diverse; Grizelda has gray-tinged skin and ombré green hair.

A fresh trick-or-treating tale with plenty of read-aloud potential.(Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews