“The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.”

With a heart two sizes too small, the Grinch is the meanest creature you’ll ever meet. He hates Christmas and the whole festive season. But when he hatches a dastardly plot to steal Christmas, he’s in for a big surprise!

Over the years I have seen both versions of Dr Seuss’ 1953 classic children’s tale. The Jim Carey film is fun, lively and filled with colour, and the actor himself brings The Grinch to life. While the original animated cartoon version featuring the legendary Boris Karloff brings a sinister feel to proceedings.
I love them both, the child-like charm of both films is a treasure during the festive season. But I cannot remember ever having read Seuss’ original book, so when I saw it in my local book shop, I bought a copy. It’s only a very short tale, about how the Grinch, with his heart two sizes two small, despises Christmas and everything it stands for. This presents a problem, living just outside the town of Whoville, inhabited by the very festive Whos.

So to solve his problem, the mean-spirited old Grinch concocts a plan to steal all the trappings of Christmas, ruining it for all in Whoville. True to his famous style, Seuss uses rhyme throughout brilliantly, allowing the story to flow. The illustrations in the book are wonderful – they have a simple line-drawn feel to them, with only enough colour to add effect.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas at its core is a heartwarming story as the Grinch himself discovers what Christmas really means, and learns to love the festive season. I don’t know how I have not read it before, but I will be sure to read it every year from now on!

My rating: