How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Jake's Review: It's the Grinch what else do you need to know. Even Brian will read this, so it has to be good. I like watching the cartoon because it is even more fun than the book. I haven't seen the movie with real people playing the characters as mom won't allow it in the house. She says its a "travesty". The grinch is really mean at first, but than becomes nice. I love Max the dog because he is so cute and funny. I like reading the words to because they rhyme and are silly.

Jake's Rating: 10/10

Mom's Review: One of the best children's books every written and quite frankly it is impossible to put into words the total brilliance of this book. My Dad used to read this book to me all the time so each time I see it I am reminded of him. He was brilliant at voices and read it to us in a voice very close to Boris Karloff's. The story is funny and the moral so cleverly done that your children will get the point without feeling like they are being preached too. Like Jake I love the movie even more because it brought the story to life. I too love Max as he is the heart and soul of the cartoon. Still the book is a classic on its own and should be owned by everybody - whether you have kids or not. And by the way that live action movie is a travesty and will NEVER be let into this house - so deal with it Jake.

Mom's Rating: 100/10 - CLASSIC!!!!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a classic tale about greed, materialism, and the kindness of man for his fellow man all wrapped up in one great big package! The illustrations are wonderful and the rhyming text impresses me. This is a story by Dr. Seuss that is so popular it was made into a Christmastime TV special; and it deserves every bit of recognition that it gets. (Note: this story is very popular; and because many, many people know it all the way through there are spoilers in this review.)

When the story begins we are introduced to the Grinch. He hates Christmas with all celebrations down in "Who-ville," a village he can see from his home on a mountain. The Grinch hates the noise, the caroling, the sharing of presents and the feast of "roast beast."

Eventually the Grinch gets an idea--he dresses up as Santa Claus and uses his dog Max for a reindeer; and this perverse take on the real Santa Claus tale is meant to strike people as ugly. The Grinch comes down from the mountain with his sled and his dog Max made up to look like a reindeer. Soon the Grinch steals all the presents, the stocking hung with care on the fireplace mantle, the roast beast, the Christmas trees--and even the firewood!

The Grinch gets quite a surprise when on Christmas day the "Whos" of "Who-ville" celebrate and rejoice anyway--without any material things to mark the holiday spirit. This shocks the Grinch and he must consider the possibility that Christmas doesn't just "come from a store."

Of course, once the Grinch learns his lesson he returns everything and there's quite a huge celebration with the Grinch leading the way as he carves the "roast beast." It's a very positive ending.

The moral of the story for our children is, of course, that Christmas DOESN'T just come from a store. The importance of Christmas with its religious significance and its message of good will toward all mankind is stressed without banging the child on the head too aggressively. The story overall makes for a fascinating experience for the children. I have many fond memories of watching this TV special and reading this book when I was a very young child.

As with many Dr. Seuss books, children can use this book on a concrete, literal level to improve their vocabulary and reading skills. Older kids will learn the importance of Christmas and the need for all mankind to respect each other and share the beauties of the world together.

I highly recommend this exceptional children's book.

One of the many things concrete about my christmas was the story of How The Grinch Stole Christmas. It was a Christmas Eve tradition mostly in the form of watching the movie. However, Upon comming across this book I could not pass up the oppertunity to continue the tradition by book. Kids will laugh and enjoy rhyming story of this Dr.Seuss classic. As well as parents!

THIS IS THE FRIST BOOK I READ WHEN I SARTED SHCOOL,I AM LOOK FORWORD TO RAEDING TO MY KIDS.THIS BOOK TELLS THE TURE MENING OF CHRISTMAS.THAT FAMLIY ARE MORE IMPORTANT THEN GIFTS.THE BEST CHRISTMAS BOOK OF ALL TIME.