How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Classic Seuss) [Hardcover]

Dr. Seuss (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 12, 1957 | Age Range: 5 - 9 years | Series: Classic Seuss | Lexile Measure: 510L (What's this?)

It's Christmas, and Dr. Seuss has a classic holiday tale that will make for the perfect gift. Join cherished characters The Grinch, Max, Cindy Lou, and the residents of Who-ville for a comical and heartwarming story about the affects the Christmas spirit can have on even the smallest and coldest of hearts.

Now always available with a foil cover!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! / Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason." Dr. Seuss's small-hearted Grinch ranks right up there with Scrooge when it comes to the crankiest, scowling holiday grumps of all time. For 53 years, the Grinch has lived in a cave on the side of a mountain, looming above the Whos in Whoville. The noisy holiday preparations and infernal singing of the happy little citizens below annoy him to no end. The Grinch decides this frivolous merriment must stop. His "wonderful, awful" idea is to don a Santa outfit, strap heavy antlers on his poor, quivering dog Max, construct a makeshift sleigh, head down to Whoville, and strip the chafingly cheerful Whos of their Yuletide glee once and for all.

Looking quite out of place and very disturbing in his makeshift Santa get-up, the Grinch slithers down chimneys with empty bags and stealing the Whos' presents, their food, even the logs from their humble Who-fires. He takes the ramshackle sleigh to Mt. Crumpit to dump it and waits to hear the sobs of the Whos when they wake up and discover the trappings of Christmas have disappeared. Imagine the Whos' dismay when they discover the evil-doings of Grinch in his anti-Santa guise. But what is that sound? It's not sobbing, but singing! Children simultaneously adore and fear this triumphant, twisted Seussian testimonial to the undaunted cheerfulness of the Whos, the transcendent nature of joy, and of course, the growth potential of a heart that's two sizes too small. This holiday classic is perfect for reading aloud to your favorite little Whos. (Ages 4 to 8) --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Review

"Written by uber-Seuss-ologist Charles D. Cohen, the essay features wonderful illustrations and all sorts of groovy Grinch memorabilia... A fun look behind the scenes of one of the all-time great children's classics. (A)" [Highest rating] --Read That Again! 10/2007 --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Age Range: 5 - 9 years
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (October 12, 1957)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394800796
• ISBN-13: 978-0394800790
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.4 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (167 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Christmas

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The classic Grinch story... and then some! October 4, 2007

By DJ Joe Sixpack HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

Oh, how we love the Grinch. And now we can know so much more about what makes him tick... This new anniversary edition includes the original story, but adds an essay in the back that explores Seuss' view of Christmas, the visual and conceptual evolution of the Grinch character, and the adaptation of the story into the TV special that we all know and love so well. Written by uber-Seuss-ologist Charles D. Cohen, the essay features wonderful illustrations and all sorts of groovy Grinch memorabilia... A fun look behind the scenes of one of the all-time great children's classics. Cool beans. (ReadThatAgain!)

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Grinch found the strength of ten grinches...plus two! December 3, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I have memorized this book I love it so much! The young and young at heart will love Dr. Seuss's crazy rhymes and cool words (have you ever gotten a "fuzzle" for Christmas? have you ever eaten "who hash"?...but you must have been to Whoville!) This book is silly and crazy, but it also gives a very important Christmas message which I think has been very much lacking in our society today. It's so easy to get caught up in the holidays (or hating the holidays, a la Grinch), that we forget the true meaning of Christmas. I'm not only talking about religion (which is ultimately the reason for the season, but don't get me started!), but also the time we spend with family and friends. Here's one of my favourite Grinchy quotes: "He puzzled and puzzed til his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. "Maybe Christmas.." he thought "Doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." Keep that in mind. Merry Grinch-mas! "Welcome Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos far and near. Christmas day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas day will always be just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart, and hand in hand."

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Grinch November 1, 2000

By Quaker Annie

Format:Hardcover

My 9 year old took a look at the face of Jim Carey, as the movie Grinch, and said, "That's not the real Grinch!"

He's right, of course. It's hard when a book you've been reading faithfully every year is made into a movie, and you see who Hollywood gives the lead part to. (Then again, who else would anyone cast in this rubber-faced role?)

This is the original story, with the real face of the scowling, mean-spirited Grinch. That face changes from bad to worse, and then to tender when he finally "gets" the meaning of Christmas.

But before he does, children and adults will read (and reread) in delight and shock as the Grinch disguises himself as Santa. The innocent townspeople of Whoville never seem to catch on as the Grinch forces his poor dog Max to help him steal all the toys and ornaments. He's so sure that once he's done away with the material goodies, the Christmas spirit will be gone.

A wonderful story with a message we can't hear enough. Add this to a child's Christmas bookshelf, or give it to that grumpy coworker who's ba-humbuging around.

This book is the classic (accept no substitutes)!