This review is part of the
"Read Across America Day W/O" hosted by Debbie 26.
A Classic Christmas Story
I couldn't believe it when my daughter received How the Grinch Stole Christmas for Christmas 2 years ago because this was the
exact same book that I had as a child. Everything was the same, right down to the artwork on the inside front and back cover, and I was so happy to see that such a beloved classic hadn't been updated or modernized. Actually, this particular book was part of a 2 book set, with the other book also being How the Grinch Stole Christmas except that the 2nd version was based on the movie with Jim Carrey. As you can see, I much prefer to write this review on the original version. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the movie that Jim Carrey was in and I most likely will review that version at some point, but nothing can ever replace the classic story that Dr. Seuss wrote back in 1957.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the 38th best selling children's hardcover book of all time, and rightfully so. This wonderful tale has delighted children and adults for almost 50 years and will surely continue to be a traditional part of Christmas for many many more.
And now, even though you all ready know it, on to the story.........
The Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville,
hated Christmas. He hated everything about it. He hated the mistletoe, the stockings, the singing, the feasting and most of all, the noise! For you see, down in Who-ville, every Who would be celebrating because tomorrow was Christmas Day. The Grinch decided that he would finally put a stop to Christmas once and for all. He put his mind to it and finally he came up with an idea, a wonderful, awful idea.
The Grinch made himself a Santa Claus suit and even recruited his dog Max to play the part of a reindeer. After they had all piled onto an old sleigh filled with empty sacks, the Grinch and Max rode into Who-ville while the Who's lay asleep. Then one by one, the Grinch climbed down chimneys and stripped every last house in
Who-ville of anything that had to do with Christmas. He took everything, Christmas trees, food for the feast, presents and decorations. He took it all and loaded it on his sleigh then the Grinch and Max made their way back up the hill before the sleeping Whos woke up.
Once at the top of the hill, which turned out to be a cliff, the Grinch sat there and waited for the Whos to wake up, thinking for sure he would ruin their day. How very wrong he was!!! Soon the Grinch began to hear a noise from down below, but instead of the sobbing he expected, what he heard was joyous singing. But how, he wondered? Then he realized that even though he had taken all their food, presents, and decorations that Christmas still came anyways.
The Grinch's heart grew that day, according to the Whos, for when he realized that Christmas was something more than the stuff in his sleigh, he raced down that hill and returned all the things he had taken from the Whos. The Whos, with their forgiving nature, even let the Grinch carve the roast beast for the Christmas feast.
Why I Recommend How the Grinch Stole Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is such a classic Christmas story that in my eyes, it rates right up there with The Night Before Christmas. Not only is this a fun story but it also teaches several lessons that children and adults can learn from.
First of all, How the Grinch Stole Christmas advocates the true meaning of Christmas. Today's children may be shocked to learn that despite presents, Christmas will still come. That in reality, Christmas really has nothing whatsoever to do with toys, trees, food, decorations, stockings, etc....
What Christmas is all about is about loving each other and being together to celebrate a very special day. How the Grinch Stole Christmas shows this in all it's glory.
This book also teaches forgiveness. The Whos didn't have to invite the Grinch to their Christmas dinner. In fact, had this been in modern times, the Grinch probably would have found himself thrown in jail. The Whos, however, are much bigger than that and they instantly forgive the Grinch and he is given the honor of carving their beast, which in some households, is indeed an honor.
Lastly, How the Grinch Stole Christmas shows how one can change from a person with bad intentions to one with a good heart. It teaches kids that they really can take responsibility for their actions and turn a wrong into a right. That is something that is sorely lacking in this day and age!
I wish I could tell you how my daughter likes this book, but at the age of 2 1/2 she is still too young for it. She received this when she was 3 months old and I've had it up and out of the way of little hands that like to rip books. I figure that in another year or so, I'll be able to get How the Grinch Stole Christmas off the top of the bookshelf and read it to her and I know that she will love it just as much as I have all these years!
Related Websites
Seussville:
http://www.seussville.com/
Other W/O Participants
Please be sure to take a look at the other reviews written for the "Read Across America Day" Write Off:
Wifeofvolsfan
My Book About Me: By Me, Myself
Kamel622
Hop on Pop
vbanuelos
Great Day for Up
Ed_grover
King and King
Marybatson
The Foot Book
artemis8
Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories
sleeper54
Daisy-Head Mayze
dramastef
Nina's Waltz
Debbie26
Green Eggs and Ham
The Little Engine That Could
Kelly60
Paul Bunyan: Big Book Edition
Brendan2
Buttermilk
