Almost everyone in the greater United States is familiar with Dr. Suess. Even moreso with the Christmas classic film, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” The popular children’s book has seen massive success as the popular Chuck Jones animated film, a live-action adaptation starring Jim Carrey, and a recent CG animated film by Illumination Entertainment.
So, because of this enduring popularity, Dr. Suess Enterprises and Random House have decided to craft a The Grinch sequel book.
“How the Grinch Lost Christmas!” will return us to Whoville to find out if the Grinch has indeed made good on his grown heart. But he gets swept up in a competition for the most elaborately trimmed tree. The prize is apparently Whoville’s Christmas Crown, and wanted by all it seems. This is likely to cause a resurgence of selfishness and potential pettiness on the part of the fuzzy, green Christmas crasher. But is that conflict necessary?
But He Already Learned Christmas Means A Little Bit More
This new story is completely original. It isn’t based on any manuscript or remaining notes from Theodor Geisel (aka – Dr. Suess). It’s written by Alastair Heim and illustrated by Arstides Ruiz; Suessian veterans who have worked on Beginner’s Books and “The Cat In The Hat” Learning Library series respectively. But it might get some backlash. Heim said of the project that, as excited as he was, “it was difficult and daunting to approach adding to or expanding such an esteemed and treasured part of the American Christmas canon.”
If that’s the case, is a sequel to a beloved children’s book entirely necessary? Won’t a plot like this simply return the Grinch to how he was originally? Won’t be just be learning what Christmas means again? Wouldn’t it make more sense to simply…read the original book? Even if this was an exciting project for some, it does beg the question “why”.
“How The Grinch Lost Christmas!” releases September 5th, 2023. Pre-orders are available via Amazon now.
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