The story is set one year after the original and marks the first expansion of the Grinch narrative.
It will be written by Alastair Heim, who has previously authored two Dr Suess-themed books and illustrated by Artisdes Ruiz. Ruiz illustrated the Learning Library versions of The Cat in the Hat for two decades.
Susan Brandt, president and CEO of Dr Seuss Enterprises, the organisation that manages the author’s legacy, said the decision was carefully considered.
Publishers at Random House Children’s Books said the sequel would show the Grinch “eager to prove that his heart has grown to love the holiday.”
Theodor S Geisel, known to his millions of fans worldwide as Dr Seuss in a publicity portrait from the film biography ‘In Search Of Dr Seuss’, 1994. (Photo by TNT/Getty Images)
Dr Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, died in 1991. How The Grinch Stole Christmas remains one of his most beloved works, selling millions of copies worldwide and adapted for the screen on three occasions.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Heim said he “couldn’t fully believe that I was actually getting to play in the amazing creative sandbox Dr. Seuss created all those decades ago.”
Ruiz “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.”
