Cooking with the Grinch (Dr. Seuss) (Step into Reading) – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Cooking with the Grinch (Dr. Seuss) (Step into Reading)

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2017

89%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

The Grinch swaps stealing Christmas for baking treats, and your kid might actually be able to read this one solo.

Cooking with the Grinch (Dr. Seuss) (Step into Reading)

book

2017

89%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

The Grinch swaps stealing Christmas for baking treats, and your kid might actually be able to read this one solo.

4.8

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4.8

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Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This isn't a literary masterpiece, but it’s a fantastic tool for the specific moment when a kid is transitioning from looking at pictures to decoding words.

It’s short, sweet, and the rhyme scheme provides the 'training wheels' kids need to guess words they don't know yet. Plus, the dog treat recipe is a genuine win for a rainy afternoon activity.

If you're looking for the classic Seuss bite, this isn't quite it—it’s more of a brand extension—but for a beginning reader, it’s exactly the right speed.

Age Fit

This is the sweet spot for 3 to 6-year-olds. It's a great read-aloud for preschoolers and a perfect 'first independent book' for Kindergartners.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It features the post-reformation Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who working together in the kitchen. It’s all about cooperation, holiday spirit, and being nice to the dog.

Imaginative

While it stays within the established Seuss world, the inclusion of a real-world recipe for kids to make with their parents adds a layer of creative application beyond just looking at the pages.

Safe

100

There is zero objectionable content. It's a Step 1 reader designed for the youngest possible audience. No scares, no 'mean' Grinch, just baking.

Enriching

Excellent for phonics and early literacy. The rhyming structure and rhythmic text are specifically engineered to help 4- and 5-year-olds decode words and gain reading confidence.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Perfect for 'Step 1' readers who know their ABCs and are ready to tackle short, rhyming sentences.
The 2-ingredient dog treat recipe in the back is a low-stress way to bring the book into the kitchen.
Uses the 'reformed' Grinch, so there's no holiday-stealing trauma for sensitive toddlers.
High 'I did it!' factor for kids who want to read a 'real' book by themselves.

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What to Watch For

It’s a very quick read—don't expect a deep narrative like the original 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas.'
You will almost certainly be asked to make the dog treats immediately after finishing.
It's written by Tish Rabe, not Dr. Seuss himself, though it mimics his style well enough for a 5-year-old.

Conversation Starters

"Which words in that sentence sounded the same? (Finding the rhymes)."
"Why do you think the Grinch wanted to bake something for Max?"
"If we made treats for our dog (or a neighbor's dog), what do you think they'd like most?"
"How is this Grinch different from the one who tried to stop Christmas?"

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