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As we romp ever closer to that special night of the year, don’t forget to take a moment or two to sit with someone small and share some magic. You never know, it may extend into a lifetime of golden memories. Today’s classics you’ve read with your kids starts out with multi-talented SE QLD writer, […]

photo by melissaclark www.flickr.com

My favorite Christmas story is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Is that weird? I just love it when the Grinch has stolen everything from Whoville, and he’s waiting to hear all the boo-hoos. But he doesn’t hear crying, he hears singing–my word! Without any presents? Who would have thought it? And then my favorite part of all:

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
“Maybe Christmas. . .perhaps. . .means a little bit more!”

And what happened then. . .?
Well. . .in Who-ville they say
That the Grinch’s small heart
Grew three sizes that day!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas was originally published in 1957. In a really cool Dr. Seuss collection that my stepson has (Your Favorite Seuss pictured below), Charles D. Cohen, author of The Seuss, the Whole Seuss, and Nothing but the Seuss, writes that Theodore Seuss Geisel wrote about the Grinch because in 1956 when looking at himself in the mirror, he decided something had gone terribly wrong with Christmas. He wrote the story to see if he could rediscover something about Christmas that he had obviously lost. He wanted to explore anti-consumerism, according to Cohen, but more importantly, the sense and spirit of community that Seuss felt was lost in the world. Think about it: the Grinch is excluded from the Whos–he can’t stand their singing and bells ringing. He’s included when he gets to carve the roast beast at the end. The Whos definitely have a sense of community, which is proven in my favorite scene above!

I like that Dr. Seuss reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas without preaching or hitting us over the head with it. He does it in true children’s writers’ fashion with a great show-don’t-tell picture book. The Grinch’s story is wonderful to share and discuss with children why the Whos are still singing and happy when all their Christmas stuff is gone. This is sometimes hard for children to understand, especially since the number one question they are asked around this time of year is: “What did you ask Santa to bring you for Christmas?” Talk to students and your children about other Christmas traditions they really enjoy besides the presents and compare these traditions to what the Whos do even though all their Christmas gear is missing. When children see how their favorite family traditions, like making s’mores or singing carols around the piano, compare to the Whos singing, they might understand more how Christmas doesn’t really come from a store.

So although I love Jimmy Stewart and angels getting their wings, the Grinch will always have my heart–and he’s been around for fifty-two years, so he must have more hearts than just mine.

What’s your favorite Christmas story/movie/book?

Hi everyone and Merry, Merry, Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy Holiday Seasons from the Jolliest Sith ever to slide down as many chimneys as Santa on Christmas Night.....Darth Santa Bill!!!!!!!! Well I don't know if I will get another post out until the holiday season is over or not, so I want to wish everyone a wonderbar holiday time of year thing!!!!!!

Now I have to share a clip from one my favorite Songs and Holiday Specials ever, I bet you have already seen it and can guess the name of it. Check it out:






Now for a couple of reviews of two awesome Graphic Novels I just recently finished!!!!!!!!!


Wolverine: First Class - The Rookie by Fred Van Lente, Andrea DiVito and Salva Espin - Well let me just get this off my chest. This Graphic Novel was awesome and I blew through it so fast I read it a second time. This GN collects Wolverine: First Class issues #1 - 4 and includes Wolverine's first appearance from way back in Hulk #181 when comics cost a whole 25 cents. Wolverine is one of my all time favorite comic book heroes and in this GN teams him up with one of the newest and youngest X-Men Kiity Pryde. The GN begins with their first meeting and adventure and leads onto other stories in which they take on the likes of Sabretooth, The High Evolutionary, the Man-Beast amongst others. This GN is really well written and not just about punching out the bad guys and fighting with your partner. The stories have depth, action and make you think. In short this is how Graphic Novels should be done. Thumbs up!!!!!!!





Lions, Tigers and Bears Volume 2 by Mike Bullock, Jack Lawrence, Paul Gutierrez and Bob Pedroza - This my friends is a Graphic Novel that was alot of fun to read. I reviewed Volume 1 on April 23, 2008, but you don't necessarily have to read Volume 1 to enjoy Volume 2. To see my review of Volume 1 Click Here. This Graphic Novel is about a boy named Joey and his friend Courtney. It is also about the stuffed animals they own that come to life whenever children are in danger from evil beasties. Joey owns some stuffed animals called the Night Pride which consists of Pallo - The Leader of the Pack (an African Lion), Venus – Guardian of the Pride (a Bengal Tiger), Minerva – Huntress of the Shadows (a Black Panther) and Aries – Warrior of the Night (a Siberian Tiger). The Night Pride are the elite protectors of "The Stuffed Animal Kingdom" a land where all stuffed animals are real. In this volume King Bear is betrayed by his brother to the evil beasties and not only is the Stuffed Animal Kingdom at risk, but all children in our world. For you see once the beasties are in control and the stuffed animal protectors conquered, the beasties will be coming for the children in the real world. Check out this really well done GN for a really exciting story that you will devour and be finished reading before you know it. Great stuff!!!!!!!!

Have a good one all and Peace Out,

Bill