Review - Who Likes Christmas?

Who Likes Christmas? (Illumination's The Grinch)
by Dennis R. Shealy
illustrated by Shane Clester
Date: 2018
Publisher: Golden Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Grow your heart three sizes with Illumination presents Dr. Seuss' The Grinch--the new Grinch movie in theaters November 9, 2018!

This Little Golden Book peeks into Illumination presents Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, a new animated movie, based on the Dr. Seuss classic about a grumpy Grinch who tries to steal Christmas! It's perfect for boys and girls ages 2 to 5! Little Golden Books enjoy nearly 100% consumer recognition. They feature beloved classics, hot licenses, and new original stories . . . the classics of tomorrow.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Well, this was slightly better than I'm the Grinch, but I still fail to see why this story needed to be retold (except as a means to sell books to kids who've seen the new movie).

Unlike I'm the Grinch, this book seems to have more of a story. After the mayor of Who-ville states that they're going to do Christmas 3X bigger and better than before, the Grinch gets grumpy. He meets Cindy-Lou (who is on her way to the post office), and a discussion ensues where Cindy-Lou tries to get him to admit that he likes different aspects of Christmas. The resolution is really quick and pat, and the Grinch very suddenly gives in to the holiday spirit... for no apparent reason. I really hope the movie doesn't gloss over the character development like that!

The illustrations in this book are a little bit retro; they're not the CGI that's featured in I'm the Grinch, and I wasn't crazy about them.

Overall, this is a bit better than I'm the Grinch, but I'd still recommend reading the original story by Dr. Seuss over either of these movie tie-ins.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.67 out of 5