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 The
Lorax by Dr. Seuss is the classic tale of corporate greed and
environmental destruction with the lovable Lorax saving the Truffula
Forest. Since its publication, many other books have been written
which incorporate environmental messages. Generation Green's Recommended
Reading List features a wonderful selection of books for children of all
ages, as well as suggestions for adults.
Dr.
Seuss characters, text & images © and ™ 1998 Dr. Seuss Enterprises,
L.P. All rights reserved.
(Reading level: ages 4-8)
Amazon
review
When Dr. Seuss gets
serious, you know it must be important. Published in 1971, and perhaps
inspired by the "save our planet" mindset of the 1960s, The
Lorax is an ecological warning that still rings true today amidst the
dangers of clear-cutting, pollution, and disregard for the earth's
environment. In The Lorax, we find what we've come to expect from the
illustrious doctor: brilliantly whimsical rhymes, delightfully original
creatures, and weirdly undulating illustrations. But here there is also
something more--a powerful message that Seuss implores both adults and
children to heed.
The now
remorseful Once-ler--our faceless, bodiless narrator--tells the story
himself. Long ago this enterprising villain chances upon a place filled
with wondrous Truffula Trees, Swomee-Swans, Brown Bar-ba- loots, and Humming-Fishes.
Bewitched by the beauty of the Truffula Tree tufts, he greedily chops them
down to produce and mass-market Thneeds. ("It's a shirt. It's a sock.
It's a glove. It's a hat.") As the trees swiftly disappear and the
denizens leave for greener pastures, the fuzzy yellow Lorax (who speaks
for the trees "for the trees have no tongues") repeatedly warns
the Once-ler, but his words of wisdom are for naught. Finally the Lorax
extricates himself from the scorched earth (by the seat of his own furry
pants), leaving only a rock engraved "UNLESS." Thus, with his
own colorful version of a compelling morality play, Dr. Seuss teaches
readers not to fool with Mother Nature. But as you might expect from
Seuss, all hope is not lost—the Once-ler has saved a single Truffula
Tree seed! Our fate now rests in the hands of a caring child, who becomes
our last chance for a clean, green future.
To see Generation
Green's reading list for kids and intermediate readers, click here.
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