<P> The story was published as a book by Random House in 1957, and at approximately the same time in an issue of Redbook . The book criticizes the commercialization of Christmas . Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association named it one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children". In 2012 it was ranked number 61 among the "Top 100 Picture Books" in a survey published by School Library Journal--the fourth of five Dr. Seuss books on the list . </P> <P> The book was adapted as a Christmas special twice, a 1966 animated TV film starring Boris Karloff as both the narrator and the voice of the Grinch and a 2000 live - action feature film starring Jim Carrey . There will also be a computer - animated film adaptation, starring Benedict Cumberbatch scheduled for release on November 9, 2018 . </P> <P> The Grinch is a bitter, grouchy, cave - dwelling creature with a heart "two sizes too small" who lives on snowy Mount Crumpit, a steep high mountain just north of the town of Whoville, home of the merry and warm - hearted Whos . His only companion is his unloved, but loyal dog, Max . From his cave, the Grinch can hear the noisy Christmas festivities that take place in Whoville . Annoyed, he decides to stop Christmas from coming by stealing their presents, trees, and food for their Christmas feast . He crudely disguises himself as Santa Claus, and forces Max, disguised as a reindeer, to drag a sleigh to Whoville . Once there, the Grinch slides down the chimney and steals all of the Whos' Christmas presents, the Christmas tree, and the log for their fire . He is briefly interrupted in his burglary by Cindy Lou, a little Who girl, but concocts a crafty lie to effect his escape from her home . </P> <P> The Grinch then takes his sleigh to the top of Mount Crumpit, and prepares to dump all of the presents into the abyss . As dawn breaks, he expects to hear the Whos' bitter and sorrowful cries, but is confused to hear them singing a joyous Christmas song instead . He puzzles for a moment until it dawns on him that "maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more" than just presents and feasting . The Grinch's shrunken heart suddenly grows three sizes . The reformed Grinch returns all of the Whos' presents and trimmings and is warmly invited to the Whos' feast, where he has the honor of carving the Roast Beast . </P>

Main characters in the grinch who stole christmas
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