There’s no better time of year to sit with your kids and
read or watch How the Grinch Stole
Christmas, the beloved classic tale by Dr. Seuss.
The Christmas-hating Grinch tries very hard (but unsuccessfully)
to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville. As the story unfolds, both the
citizens of Whoville and the Grinch realize that Christmas is in their hearts
and not found wrapped up under the Christmas tree. The cleverly constructed rhymes
teach the value of making amends for misdeeds — and gently question the
commercialization of Christmas.
When to do
Find an hour or two over the holiday break (there is
usually a live broadcast of the animated version, but it tends to air early in
December).
What to
do
Watch the TV or movie version and/or read the classic
illustrated story with your kids. We’ve gathered basic information on the two screen
versions and the book. Any one (or all three!) will give you and your family
plenty of enjoyment and open the door to interesting conversation this holiday
season.
DVDs
1966 Version:
Title: Dr. Seuss’s
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Released: 1966
Rated: NR
Starring: Boris Karloff (narrator), Thurl
Ravenscroft (singer)
Duration: 29 minutes
Summary:
This half-hour television cartoon introduces kids to the
green and mean face of the Grinch; his long-suffering dog, Max; and of course
the adorable Cindy Lou Who. Your kids will be singing along to great songs like
"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." This movie version is great for a first-time introduction to
the traditional tale.
Talk
about it:
Do your kids think they act like the Whos? Why or why not?
Would they enjoy Christmas as much without lots of presents? How might your
family make Christmas special even without presents?
2000 Version:
Title: How the
Grinch Stole Christmas
Released: 2000
Rating: PG; includes scenes with mild peril and some crude
humor
Starring: Jim Carey, Jeffrey Tambor, and Christine
Baranski
Duration: 105 minutes
Talk
about it:
Ask you kids what part of the film was their favorite?
Why? Who was their favorite character? Why is the Grinch so different than the
people in Whoville? His looks? His size? His color? The Grinch sometimes does
things that he thinks will make him feel better. Do they work? Do they help him
forget that he is lonely? Why not? Did your kids like the ending of the story?
Why did they like it?
The Book
Title: How the Grinch
Stole Christmas
Author: Dr Seuss
Illustrator: Dr Seuss
Pages: 54
Released: 1957
Read aloud: ages 4 to 6; read alone: ages 6 to 8
Summary
This classic Christmas read-aloud features one of the
funniest rascals in kids' literature. The bad-tempered Grinch just plain hates
the holidays — apparently because of the Yuletide hullabaloo. Kids
will love hating his villainous deeds and cheering his redemption. Whimsical
illustrations and witty rhymes keep kids mesmerized. The
true spirit of Christmas leaps off the double-page spread of the Whos holding
hands, even after all their presents and decorations have been stolen. If you
notice, Dr. Seuss uses the same illustration he used at the beginning of the
story to show that their spirit has not changed.
Talk
about it
Talk about your family traditions or customs. What
traditions do your kids look forward to when the family celebrates the
holidays? Would the holidays be as meaningful if they did not have some of the store-bought
decorative elements?
What you
will need
Movie DVD or book to share with your kids
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