How the Grinch Stole Christmas
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the lovingly constructed rhymes teach the merit of making reparations for misdeeds, and question the commercialization of Christmas. Kids love hating the mean, funny villain and cheering his reformation. Whimsical illustrations and witty rhymes keep kids captivated.
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Oh damn what a classic!
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What's the Story?
The cantankerous Grinch hates the holidays--principally because of the Yuletide racket. Aiming to halt Christmas in its festive tracks, the potbellied, pink-eyed Seussian Scrooge impersonates Santa and confiscates every last Who-ville Christmas bauble and goody, from trees to tricycles to cans of Who-hash. This classic Christmas read-aloud features one of the funniest scoundrels in children's literature.
Is It Any Good?
Dr. Seuss subtly exposes greed and commercialism and promotes the values of love and community with wit, humor, and flawlessly constructed rhymes. The true spirit of Christmas leaps off the double-page spread of the Whos holding hands, even after all their Christmas presents and decorations have been stolen. Cleverly, Dr. Seuss uses the same picture presented at the beginning of the story (when readers first meet the Whos) to show that their spirit has not changed.
The illustrations are in pen and ink, with some red added. This kind of printing was common in 1957, when the book was first published, but it may disappoint modern readers who have seen the animated and/or live-action movie versions and expect full-color illustrations. However, the energy, vitality, and charm of both drawings and verse make this book a treasured American classic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about holiday customs. What traditions do you look forward to when your celebrate your holiday? Would the holiday be as meaningful if it were stripped of some of the more decorative elements?
Book Details
- Author: Dr. Seuss
- Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
- Genre: Holiday
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Random House
- Publication date: October 12, 1957
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 54
- Last updated: October 18, 2017
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