Bella Legrossi is the messiest monster in all of Booville. Her slime is the slimiest and her grime is the grimiest. Alas, she is neighbors with Bor...
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Oct 07, 2010
Abigail
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Opposites clash, and then attract, in this humorously monstrous picture-book, which follows neighbors Bella Lagrossi and Boris Kleanitoff - who, as their names suggest, are disgustingly messy and obsessively neat - as they both attempt to throw a Halloween party (without inviting the other). But when all the residents of Booville elect to attend Henry Beastie's party instead, the two rivals reluctantly find themselves going along, and discovering that they have a few things in common, after all.
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4 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Oct 17, 2010
David
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Bella Legrossi is the messiest monster in all of Booville. Her slime is the slimiest & her grime is the grimiest. Alas, she is neighbors with Boris Kleanitoff, a persnickety ghoul so tidy he vacuums his vampire bats. What could ever bring these two together? A hoppin' Halloween party, of course! (Goodreads Summary)
Boris and Bella by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Gris Grimly, is a wonderfully ooky, humorous monster tale with suitably creepy illustrations of many assorted monsters in w More...
Boris and Bella by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Gris Grimly, is a wonderfully ooky, humorous monster tale with suitably creepy illustrations of many assorted monsters in w More...
Oct 10, 2010
Crystal
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I read Boris and Bella and I loved it! It was funny, warm, and gruesome all at the same time! I totally agree with Brenda on the whole old movie monster feel. Those were my exact thoughts as I read it. The book is very well written and really puts you in the Halloween mood. Attention to detail from beginning to end makes this book especially delightful. I love it when you read all parts of a book and the theme continues. For example, the author and illustrators bios were hauntingly fun. I love t
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8 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Oct 08, 2010
Ronyell
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“Boris and Bella” is a spooky Halloween book by Carolyn Crimi along with illustrations by Gris Grimly about two monsters, Boris and Bella, who are extremely different from each other as Boris is the monster who loves to be tidy while Bella is the monster who loves to be messy. When their friends ended up going to Harry Beastie’s Halloween Party instead of theirs, Boris and Bella might discover that they may have something in common with each other. If children are in the mood for the spirit of
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9 comments
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(9 people liked it)
Dec 27, 2009
Ash
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This book is absolutely amazing. As a reading tutor I have a really hard time finding books that are entertaining for the kids and not boring. The language in this book is not extremely difficult but some of the passages are quite long. The deal I made with my student was I would read anything over three lines since those seem to be the more difficult passages, not to mention just long for a struggling reader. It's an AWESOME read aloud book though.
Written by Carolyn Crimi and illust More...
Written by Carolyn Crimi and illust More...
Sep 17, 2008
Heidi
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 05, 2010
Lisa
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I wasn’t expecting much from this book. Even though one Goodreads friend whose taste I trust had liked this a lot, the only reason I read it is that it’s one of 6 picture books being read for this month’s Picture Books Club (October theme is Autumn/Halloween) at the Children's Books group. I have no interest in Bela Lugosi or Boris Karloff or their films, or almost any horror films, and I expected this book to have more to do with these men. I was glad the names were more a homage, but that the
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6 comments
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(8 people liked it)
Oct 06, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
A mythical morality tale about moderation told through the voices of two spooks, Bella Legrossi, the Queen of UnClean and Boris Kleanitoff the Grime Fighter, Boris and Bella has a flowing story and creep-tastic illustrations reminiscent of Tim Burton and Edward Gorey. Bella and Boris are opposites. They fuss and fight with each other. They each decide to host a Halloween party and are disheartened when a third ghoul Hairy Beastie also hosts a party and everyone decides to go there. Boris and Bel
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Oct 14, 2010
Kathryn
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This is a perfectly charming story about neighbors Bella Lagrossi and Boris Kleanitoff. As their (delightfully suitable!) names imply, Bella loves to be messy and Boris likes things neat-and-tidy. Living in such close proximity, they are bound to bump into one another now and again, and their respective housekeeping habits soon create a rift. With Halloween on the horizon, each wants to throw the best Halloween party ever--but while they are so caught-up in themselves, they don't realize that
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9 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Oct 05, 2010
Brenda
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This story has some of the best classic movie monsters featured in it and is a wonderful tribute to horror movie masters Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff . The illustrations are reminiscent of the Addams Family or even something from a Tim Burton film. A very funny story that highlights the differences in being to neat versus to messy. A story that shows opposites can attract and has some very creepy play on words.
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(3 people liked it)
Sep 13, 2010
Aphie
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I LOVE this odd-couple story about a zombie and a vampire who discover that although they are very different people, they can be friends, and not just neighbourly rivals! Reminscent of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton, but lacking the adult edge of these two, the illustrations are whimsical and endearing.
I fell in love with this picture book years before I even fell pregnant - I had to have it for Progeny in Potentia.
I fell in love with this picture book years before I even fell pregnant - I had to have it for Progeny in Potentia.
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 17, 2010
Jenny
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Love the names and the artwork. Boris Kleanitoff is a real neat freak and Bella Legrossi is the messiest monster around. They can't stand each other...until Harry Beastie ruins their Halloween plans and they go to his party to tell him off...and find that they actually have a lot in common. A great Halloween story with monsters but also a little romance, some lessons learned and some humor thrown in.
Oct 10, 2011
Dolly
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This is a fun halloween story that shows how opposites can truly attract. The monsters are creepy, but comical and the illustrations have a Tim Burton-kind of quality to them. The narrative is humorous and the story is sweet, especially for a Halloween-themed tale. We enjoyed reading this story together.
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(1 person liked it)
Sep 14, 2009
Cami
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A very fun book (for Halloween especially) starring a very messy Bella LeGrossi and pristine house cleaner Boris Kleanitoff (or something like that).
When neither are taken up on their party invites due to their housekeeping tendencies, both learn to give/live a little and become friends due to a mutual love for dancing.
Cute yet gothic illustrations.
When neither are taken up on their party invites due to their housekeeping tendencies, both learn to give/live a little and become friends due to a mutual love for dancing.
Cute yet gothic illustrations.
Oct 24, 2009
Emma
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Bella Legrossi is the messiest monster in Booville and Boris Kleanitoff is the cleanest. They are also neighbors who can't stand each other. However, when everyone declines their party invitations for that of Harry Beastie's, Boris and Bella come together and find they're actually a pretty good fit for each other. A cute love story.
Nov 04, 2011
Kristina
rated it:
I don't normally review the picture books I read to my kids, but...
I personally thought this book was super cute!
I loved it!
The art was neat and the story was a good one to teach to kids.
The moral: Sometimes the people most different from us can be our best friends. Who doesn't want to teach THAT to their kids??
I personally thought this book was super cute!
I loved it!
The art was neat and the story was a good one to teach to kids.
The moral: Sometimes the people most different from us can be our best friends. Who doesn't want to teach THAT to their kids??
Aug 31, 2009
Vanessa
rated it:
My daughter picked this one from the library and it's excellent. She loves it too, we've read it every night for about a week and a half.
Very Tim Burton-ish and fun. It's about two monsters, one a neatnik and one a slob, who end up finding out they're perfect for each other. I expect we'll be buying a copy soon.
Very Tim Burton-ish and fun. It's about two monsters, one a neatnik and one a slob, who end up finding out they're perfect for each other. I expect we'll be buying a copy soon.
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 29, 2011
Paul
rated it:
Nobody does creepy-funny like Gris Grimly. The illustrations are simply ghastly in this one about a tidy vampire-type who resists the charms of a unkempt witch-like neighbor. If you like Boris and Bella, don't miss Grisly's Santa Claws at Christmas time. . .
Oct 05, 2009
Stephanie
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I just read this book again for the millionth time tonight and I have not wanted to throw it out the window yet. I actually really love this book and am very happy my kids do too!
Jul 15, 2009
Tricia
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Funny tale of the odd couple of monster world who, when slighted for a Halloween party, realize that they are a match made in monsterdom. Creepy illustrations are quite enjoyable.
Oct 04, 2010
Cheryl in CC NV
rated it:
Despite that one can see the ending coming before one even opens the book, and despite the fact that I, personally, don't like monster stories, this was clever and fun.
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(1 person liked it)
Jun 17, 2010
Emily
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I absolutely loved this book! The pictures were different from what you'd normally see in a children's book. And the ending is sooo cute!
May 31, 2010
Amanda
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This book is an excellent example of a gothic themed story that also conveys the complexities of friendship and other people's differences. Calling on some of the fun bits of the Gorey style the art is also fun to look at. I highly recommend this one to grownups and kid who like the darker aspects of Gorey and monster movies or stories.
Feb 03, 2011
Meleofa
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Cute story. Miaya has an obsession with all books Halloween, and this is just the latest. :)
Jun 22, 2010
1st edition, signed & inscribed by author & Gris Grimly illustrator; BookExpo
Feb 18, 2010
Rachael
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Cute story about friendship. Uses word play. Would be good to read around Haloween.
Mar 04, 2010
nicole
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Absolutely adore this book. It's one of my children's favorite bedtime stories.
Oct 07, 2010
Chandra
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Boris and Bella has been Halloween reading tradition for us for the past three years. It's always been a big hit and each year I think my daughter appreciates it even more - gets more of the jokes and notices more of the fantastic details in the fabulous illustrations. It's also got a nice message about respecting differences and finding common ground. Very highly recommended!
**For another fun Halloween read illustrated by Gris Grimly try Monster Museum. More...
**For another fun Halloween read illustrated by Gris Grimly try Monster Museum. More...
11 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Jan 13, 2012
Chelsy
rated it:
Really neat book. And so romantic.
I love how they're named after silent, horror film stars ;D
I love how they're named after silent, horror film stars ;D
