Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I am reviewing a festive favourite.
As the holiday season approaches, I love to indulge in traditions that make me happy. One of those traditions is reading books that help get me in the Christmas spirit. And what could be better than the beloved festive classic, How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss? This charming, thought-provoking little tale has enchanted generations of readers and continues to do so today. So, without further ado, here is my festive Grinch review (see what I did there?…).
How The Grinch Stole Christmas was initially published in 1957 by Random House and is 64 pages long.
The Plot
The story follows the titular character, the Grinch, living atop a mountain overlooking Whoville, a town inhabited by cheerful and lively Whos who love Christmas with all their hearts.
Characters
The Grinch
The Grinch is The titular character of the book, who, living at the top of Mount Crumpet, looks down upon Whoville and all the Whos therein. He loathes the festive season and, wanting to ruin it for the Whos, concocts a plan to steal every last thing related to Christmas in Whoville, including the food, the decorations, and even the Whos’ presents. With his loyal dog, Max, acting as a reindeer, the Grinch makes his way down to Whoville.
The Grinch’s character development shines as the Grinch’s heart gradually softens (or grows three sizes) throughout the story. As he observes the Whos celebrating without any presents, food, or decorations, he realizes they are still joyful because they have each other. This epiphany sparks a change in the Grinch, leading to one of the story’s most memorable and touching moments, as he returns everything he stole and joins the Whos in their celebration.
The Grinch is a fantastic character, and his transformation from a bitter, grouchy creature to a kind and generous friend gives the story its heart.
The Whos
The Whos are the residents of Whoville, the town situated at the foot of Mount Crumpet. They are a joyful and festive community that loves Christmas and all the festive fun that goes with it. They are depicted as kind-hearted and forgiving towards the Grinch, even after he steals their presents and decorations.
Cindy Lou Who
Cindy Lou Who (who is no more than two) is a little Who-girl who catches the Grinch in the act of stealing Christmas from her house when she gets up for a drink. However, the Grinch tricks her by pretending to be Santa and sends her back to bed.
Max
Max is the Grinch’s pet dog and his only friend at the story’s beginning. When the Grinch gets his idea of stealing Christmas, he enlists Max’s help by tying antlers to his head so that he looks like a reindeer and has him pull him down the side of Mount Crumpet. Going by the illustrations, Max looks less than impressed.
Writing Style
Dr Seuss is a staple storyteller at many a bedtime, and there are no doubt parents who know some of his stories by heart. I know this was true of my dad and How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
Dr Seuss is known for his use of rhyme to tell stories, which, I think, is one of the reasons they are so popular. With a rhyme, children can often guess the rhyming words, making the experience of reading the story all the more fun. The rhyming and repetition help to embed the story in a child’s memory, making stories such as this unforgettable.
Another reason Seuss’ stories are memorable is the messages they convey.
The Grinch’s story, for example, conveys a message about the true meaning of Christmas that will undoubtedly resonate with readers of all religions and beliefs. It touches upon the importance of love, kindness, and compassion, something that we all should practice all year round, not just during the holidays – but that is a subject for another day.
Through their warm narrative and distinct illustrations, Dr Seuss’ books, How The Grinch Stole Christmas in particular, offer an appropriate balance of humour, wit, and heartwarming moments, making them some of the best books for children ever written.
Illustrations
How The Grinch Stole Christmas is beautifully illustrated. In the version I own, as in the original book, the illustrations are white, with certain sections shaded in red. The pictures are evocative and wonderfully drawn. Dr Seuss is renowned for his unique style, and How The Grinch Stole Christmas is no exception. It is a visual delight; the illustrations bring the story to life, sprinkling it with magic. From the Grinch’s crooked smile to the Whos’ quirky hairstyles, every detail in the pictures emphasises the whimsy and lightheartedness of the story and, when combined with Seuss’ wonderful rhyme, creates a world that readers will want to revisit over and over again.
Final Thoughts
One of the many reasons How The Grinch Stole Christmas makes for the perfect read this holiday season is its timeless message. The story teaches us that the meaning of Christmas is not about materialistic things but about love and togetherness. Christmas is a time for sharing with friends and family and showing gratitude for what we have. It reminds us to be kind and empathetic to those around us. The story is a timeless classic, and its message is as relevant today as when it was written in 1957.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas has become a welcome visitor in many households during the holidays, and it has been adapted into various forms, including an animated feature (1966), a live-action movie (2000), an animated film (2018) and a stage musical (2007). The story has stood the test of time and has become a beloved holiday classic that people look forward to reading every year. I know I do.
Obviously, How The Grinch Stole Christmas is getting full marks of 10/10. How could I not?
Have you read The Grinch or watched any of its adaptations? Let me know which is your favourite. Mine is undoubtedly the book first, followed very closely by the 2000 Jim Carey Live action movie.
Thank you, as always, for spending your time reading my review!
Until next time,
George
© 2023 GLT
Categories: Book Reviews, Reading
GEORGE L THOMAS 
I purchased a book How the Grinch Stole Christmas an opened up an all the pages are up side down.
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Wow. That’s unusual. I think if you bought it through Amazon, they should offer a refund or replacement. It’s a shame, though, because it’s a great book. 🙂
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