Holiday stories include lots of familiar characters.
There is a snowman that dances, a grumpy old man who sees ghosts and a man in a red suit who flies through the sky.
And then there is that green creature who hates the Christmas holiday.
For many, reading or watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" by Dr. Seuss is a tradition of holidays past.
But most remember hearing the story about the Grinch's transformation from a Christmas-hating monster with a little heart to a character with a large heart full of joy and love in English - not Latin.
At 4 p.m. today the Bull's Head Bookshop will present "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" in both an English and a Latin reading. Free cider, cocoa and cookies will be provided.
Retired UNC English professor Tom Stumpf will read the story in English, and George Morgan, a textbook buyer for Student Stores, will read the Latin excerpt.
"I enjoy reading it just like I enjoy reading all good literature aloud," Stumpf said.
The Bull's Head started the bilingual event to help promote the publication of the Latin version in 1999.
Although the book is categorized as a children's story, the event usually brings an audience of varying ages. Professors, students and people from the community usually attend, said Kyle McKay, a publicity manager at the Bull's Head.
The reading normally draws a crowd of about 75 to 100 people, McKay said.
"We have to clear out a lot of the shelves to make space for everyone," he said.
Morgan's interest in Latin dates back to his college days when he majored in Greek and did graduate work in classics. He has been reading at this event for the last three years, but he said the book is a memory from his childhood.
"We had that book at my house when I was growing up," Morgan said. "It is a fun thing for me to do because I've known the book for a long time."
Stumpf has been the English presenter since the event began.
"Tom Stumpf does a really good job," McKay said. "He has a really booming voice that captures the audience."
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" was originally published in 1957 by Random House Inc. In 1966 it was transformed into a television cartoon.
The Grinch hit the big screen in the 2000 movie, featuring Jim Carrey as the green creature. Most recently the book has been converted into a Broadway musical.
The Grinch also makes many guest appearances in other television shows and movies, such as "Family Guy" and "The Simpsons." He also has his own float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.
Although the book was not published during Stumpf's childhood, he said he fondly remembers reading it to his children.
"It is an amusing story," he said. "It is always nice to see someone converted."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
