Boris and Bella
By Carolyn Crimi
The Story
The messiest monster in Booville and her fussiest, cleanest neighbor argue constantly — until Harry Beastie's wild Halloween party throws these two feuding creatures together.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's already picked a side in every squabble between an unstoppable mess-maker and an unstoppable neat freak, this one's a monster-sized delight.
- Big idea: Opposites clash loudly right up until the moment they find common ground.
- Vibes: Gleefully grubby, spooky-silly, and full of monster-mash energy.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy funny monster stories with a Halloween twist
- like to root for two very different characters to get along
- respond well to gross, giggly details like slime and grime
- are working on seeing things from someone else's point of view
Ask Your Little Reader
- Character contrast: What makes Bella and Boris such an unlikely pair of neighbors?
- Feelings & empathy: Why do you think Bella and Boris argue so much before the party?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever had a disagreement with a neighbor or friend who's really different from you?
- Imagination: If you were invited to Harry Beastie's Halloween party, what costume would you wear?
- Story details: What's the messiest thing you can imagine Bella doing in her house?
