I never actually knew the Origins of this story, or really that it was a Dr Seuss book. Like many I assumed that The Grinch came with the movie back in 2000 (which was only ten years ago right?!). But actually the origins are much deeper than even coming from Dr Seuss’s very pen, the Grinch, in fact, is based on himself.
I loved this 60th Anniversary edition because the history of The Grinch an the origins are laid out at the start. That Dr Seuss looked in the mirror one day and The Grinch was born, as he realised that he didn’t view Christmas the way he used to and needed to find its meaning again. Through The Grinch he rediscovered himself and created a story that would be shared and loved across the globe for decades to come. Pretty magical really.
About the Book
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.
About The Author
Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American children’s author and cartoonist. He is known for his work writing and illustrating more than 60 books under the pen name Dr. Seuss.
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