A sequel to the 1957 classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas is planned to be released in time for this year’s holiday season.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books announced on Thursday that the book will pick up one year after the original.
The sequel, How the Grinch Lost Christmas!, was written by Alastair Heim and illustrated by Aristides Ruiz. Both Heim and Ruiz have experience writing and illustrating, respectively, Dr. Seuss-inspired books.
The book, set to be released on September 5, 2023, has big shoes to fill, as the original sold almost 10 million copies in North America and has inspired several movies.
Ruiz and Heim both told ABC that it was an amazing experience to walk in the footsteps of Seuss.
“All throughout writing the story, I couldn’t fully believe that I was actually getting to play in the amazing creative sandbox Dr. Seuss created all those decades ago,” Heim said in an email to ABC News.
Ruiz explained that, although it was an exciting opportunity, it presented its own challenges.
“When I heard of the opportunity to be a part of this project, I jumped at the chance only to find that it was difficult and daunting to approach adding to or expanding such an esteemed and treasured part of the American Christmas canon,” he said, per ABC News.
The plot of the sequel involves the Grinch seeking to show the Whos how much he loves Christmas. He sets out to win the Christmas Crown by presenting the best Christmas Tree.
Everything does not go to plan, making the Grinch return to his small-hearted ways. Cindy-Lou Who, however, saves the day, reminding him that winning is not what Christmas is about.
Record-high earnings were seen by Dr. Seuss Enterprises in 2022, according to Time.
Dr. Seuss was ranked by Forbes as the eighth highest-paid dead celebrity of 2022. Seuss raked in $32 million in earnings, reported ABC News.
