Top 100 Picture Books #61: How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

#61 How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (1957)
30 points

Yes, that’s two Dr. Seuss books on my top ten list. In all honesty, I had trouble not including Horton Hears a Who as well. Between the Lorax’s anti-capitalist, pro-environment stance, Horton’s anti-racism, and this book’s anti-consumerism, Dr. Seuss taught me most of what I stand for as an adult. Plus, his absurdist verse and drawings are absolutely irresistible. – Mark Flowers

Books set during Christmas are akin to songs on top 40 radio – tons of people enjoy them, but critics don’t give them much credit. Don’t get it twisted: Seuss’s 1957 Yule-time tale deserves all the credit it can get, if for no other reason than the creation of The Grinch, one of the most indelible characters in picture book history. – Travis Jonker

You tell, ‘em, Travis! He makes a good point.

When you stop to consider the sheer number of memorable folks that appeared out of the Seussian brain, it’s quite impressive. And we’re not talking about the overblown musical or the lamentable Jim Carrey production (rivaling only Mike Myers’ The Cat in the Hat as worst children’s picture book to film adaptation in history).  That would be the only children’s film I’ve ever seen that had a key party in it.  This is true.  No we’re talking about the book. A book that should be shown to more kids, particularly when you consider how much better known the Chuck Jones Grinch is these days.

Filed under: Best Books, Top 100 Picture Books Poll