The Lorax

The Lorax is a timeless book that is an absolute must read for all children. Written by the brilliant Dr. Seuss and published in 1971, the message was as clear then as it is now thirty nine years later. The story follows the Onceler as he finds a beautiful land on which he starts a business selling Thneeds. Thneeds are a "Fine-Something-That-All-People-Need" and are made by chopping down Truffala trees. The business gets bigger and bigger all the while harming the creatures that populated the land…until all the trees are gone.
The moral to this timeless tale shows the negative implications of clear cutting our forests. It reflects on our modern societies' irresponsible use of our resources in favour of getting bigger things (homes, televisions, vehicles). As a society we tend to prioritize our wants over our needs; in my opinion we have become a greedy and materialistic population. However, there is hope in society just as Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) suggests in The Lorax. Unless we care for our precious resources, nothing will get better.
I recommend reading The Lorax to children of all ages, as it's never too early or too late to take care of our planet. If we work towards the same goal we can reduce consumerism and ensure a cleaner place for future generations. I also recommend other works written by Dr. Seuss: The Sneetches and Horton Hears a Who are fantastic tales that teach children and adults the difference between right and wrong.

Dr. Seuss's The Lorax is a fantastic story by one of the most lovable, creative children's books authors ever. In the story, Seuss presents a statement concerning the environment in his own original way. Of course, the book would not be complete without those witty rhymes and colorful illustrations. The Lorax "speaks for the trees" and tries to save the Truffula trees from the greedy Once-ler. The Lorax protects the trees and all the creatures that inhabit them. When the Once-ler comes and desires to cut down the Truffula trees, the Lorax tries to stop him, but he fails. The Once-ler cuts down every last Truffula tree, pollutes the environment, and drives all the creatures, including the Lorax, off the land. The story does end on a positive note, but to learn what it is, you must read the book for yourself.
Because The Lorax was first published in 1971, it is easy to believe that the story is referring directly to the environmental movement of the 1960's. The story clearly illustrates the themes of conservation, love, and respect for the land. The author grabs the reader's attention in the beginning of the story by starting in the future and then narrating the past. The reader sees the death and bareness of the land first and then learns the causes for the current state of the environment. Seuss approaches the subject in a blunt and obvious critique of the methods used to strip resources from the land. This story sends a simple, yet powerful statement about the world in which we live.
Because of the book's strong message concerning the environment (clear-cutting forests in particular,) this children's book has found itself on the Banned Books List. The reason is simple. Several logging companies feel threatened by the book and its message. They are afraid of people reading the book and making the great discovery that clear-cutting is bad for the environment! I believe that if this book has been placed on the Banned Book List, then the goal of the story has been achieved. The entire purpose of this book was not just to make kids laugh but to point out that clear-cutting is a serious problem. We, as humans, are trashing the environment. Sometimes the message is the most effective when it is reduced to its simplest form. In the future, this problem will rest in the hands of our children and educating children will help them make better choices than previous generations have.

In The Lorax, Dr. Seuss provides the reader, and more importantly, the child being read to with a powerfrul message about the consequences of irresponsible actions and wasteful consumption that can be applied to individual lives, as well as North American culture in general. The story, published in 1971, is incredibly relvant to the today's reader, given our increased consciousness of the impact that the human race has had, and continues to have on our environment.
The book is a story wherein a character called the Once-Ler tells a young child about a time when the dark and dreary setting "at the far end of town where the Grickle-grass grows" used to be bright and full of life. When the Once-Ler first came to this place, it was covered with a wonderful plant called the Truffula Tree. Quickly realizing the usefulness of this resource, the Once-Ler got to work making Thneeds out of it (a Thneed is an all-purpose garment "everyone needs"). to complicate matters, the Lorax appearedout of the first tree that the Once-Ler cut down and immediately began hassling the Once-Ler over his use of the trees. The Once-Ler, blinded by the profits made from the sale of Thneeds, ignored the Lorax and expanded his business more and mmore until he drove the wildlife, including the Loraz, from the area, polluted the environment beyond repair, and harvested the Truffula trees to extinction.The story ends with the Once-Ler expressing regret for his action and giving a child a Truffula tree seed, so that the child may plant it, save the environment, and hopefully bring the Lorax back.
The Lorax is a great read for both children and adults. Its overt message is clear enough that the child will grasp it with ease and important enough that every child should be exposed to it. But also, there are more subtle points about greed, irresponsibility, sustainability and thhe lack of foresight that resonate with an adult reader too. The image if the stump, where the Lorax once stood, engraved with word "USELESS" is a haunting reminder that there may indeed come a time when it is too late to save ourselves. For now, we can still provide our children with a seed of knowledge, of responsibility, and of compassion; but what if all the Once-Lers i the real world are allowed to continue valuing money-now over life-in-the-long-term? The Lorax will teach children and remind adults that individuals can influence their environment--for better or worse--and that is the responsiblity of everyone who "cares a whole lot" to do their part to keep our world bright and abundant.

By: Adam

This is a really beautiful book... Every kid and adult should have an opportunity to read it. Some of the pictures are eerily similar to clearcuts and destruction I've seen around New Brunswick. I guess that means that not everyone has read the Lorax yet... but, hey that's why they're still on sale, right?