What can you say about the Grinch? It's a classic! Despite that, I don't think I'd ever actually read it before, ha ha. I've seen the special on tv about a billion times just like everybody else.

One of the funny things I thought about as I read it was just how grinchy the grinch actually was. I mean, he's not content to just steal their presents. He takes every single thing that's going to give them a moment of happiness the next day - even the logs for their fire! I mean, he's really freaking mean!

I guess it's sort of an object lesson in the Whos down in Whoville really being emotionally mature and taking responsibility for their feelings, ha ha. ;) Or...it's about the Christmas spirit triumphing over all! Whatever. ( )

This story is obviously well known from the television special, but I had never read the original story as a child. While the songs from the show are of course missing, the rest of the story holds up well as a read-along book. The use of colour is particularly striking, with only black, white, and shades of red and pink used throughout. The Grinch starts as a stark black and white character, with red being added to highlight his anger at the impeding celebrations, while as the book progresses the red somehow begins to feel softer, warmer, and more cheerful. This is due in part to the smart use of lines and curves in the drawings, and gives this book a special texture that is not found on television. Because there is more focus on the Grinch in the book than on the other characters (Max and Cindy Lou both seem far less consequential than they do in the cartoon), the seamless transition from the Grinch's repentance to his acceptance as a fellow celebrant with the Whos takes on another dimension, becoming a matter solely of internal conflict and change of heart. The story has long been lauded as a cry against commercialism, but a more subtle theme at the heart of the book version is battling one's own prejudices and accepting others the way they are, making this book ever more relevant for the times we live in. ( )

What can be said about How the Grinch Stole Christmas that hasn't been said before? Combining Suess' lyrical genius with surprisingly understated illustrations (a counterpoint to the bright colors of the television adaptation), the book delights young and old alike -- first with the Grinch's unapologetic meanness, then with his heart-filled conversion. By any standard, a classic. ( )

The Whos in Whoville are getting ready for Christmas and the Grinch who lives nearby organizes a plan to destroy Christmas forever! He dresses as 'Santy Claus' and goes down all the Whos' chimneys and steals all of their Christmas stuff! Even the Christmas trees! However, it ends happily when the Grinch discovers that Christmas is not about presents and trees. His heart grew. This is a great story to read to children, especially around Christmas time.
***********http://www.seussville.com/main.php?section=playground&pgarea=area4 -- This is home to Dr. Seuss and all of his books. It is filled with interactive games, including games for this book, but does not have any resources for additional mediums. In addition there is a biography on Dr. Seuss.
****http://www.seuss.org/seuss/seuss.links.html --- Other resources on Dr. Seuss
Fry Graph level: 3 ( )

This is the classic Dr. Suess story that almost everyone knows and loves. The Grinch wants to ruin the Whos' happiness at Christmas time by taking all their presents and Christmas decorations. But in the end the Grinch's heart grows and the Grinch celebrates Christmas with the Whos by returning all their gifts and celebrating the magic of Christmas.