I choose to read the Lorax because I am already a fan of Dr. Seuss and the other short stories he has written. The was a very good short story that was both entertaining and informative therefore I decided to give the Lorax 4 out of 5 stars. The story has a strong, meaningful theme about the consequences of consumption and the need to preserve our natural surroundings. While this short story was written a while ago during a time which was not as concerned about the environment, the story stills holds true in modern times with current concerns over climate change. This shows how socially aware Dr. Seuss was during his time period. The story was also enjoyable because the story displayed original, creative characters which Dr. Seuss is well known for. This use of creative characters allowed Dr. Seuss to focus on a specific younger demographic which requires more excitement and exaggeration that the characters provided. Next, I enjoyed how the ending was more ominous since most children's short stories contain happy endings which is not always the case in real life. This helps to teach children that not every story has a good ending since people may not change their detrimental ways. Finally, I thought the story was good because the story not only had the sad elements in the plot but the end also included hope for the lorax’s return. This sense of hope can be analyzed with the conservation message as a sense of hope for the environment through the use of recycling and other means.

In a showdown between the Lorax's environmental conservationist voice and the Once-ler's rampant consumerism and greed, a grim future is shown to await us if we are not responsible with our resources.

First off, the book is packed with the quintessential Seuss invented words, which make it fun for kids to read because they feel less like they're being force-fed vocabulary lessons. And the illustrations are lovely as usual--especially the depiction of Truffula trees, which look so squishy and bushy and fun to touch. The Once-ler--who is only shown through his arms--is a metaphor for faceless consumerism that depletes natural resources and will ruin the world unchecked, and the Lorax--who puts himself in harm's way to speak for the trees over and over again--is left to sadly leave the world when there's nothing left to save.

The story's deliberately exaggerated presentation of industry vs. nature does make it seem like there is no Earth-friendly way for industrial progress to be made--and that's not true--but it does accurately highlight the dangers of caring only about the needs of yourself and people like you in the short term, and it does show that even the perpetrators can suffer.

An excellent book, even if the ending is a bit depressing despite the hope.

Another 'mommy book' (books my mother first read to me). One of the best examples of the tragedy of the commons ever written; and there are are still so many 'adults' that need to read this book! I think that there should be a campaign to send this book to all the CEO's of companies that are polluting our planet - get them to sign a 'Lorax pledge' to stop polluting!

If pressed to pick one this would be my favorite Dr. Seuss story. I grew up on Suess and enjoy bringing it to a new generation when I substitute teach. I am always surprised by how many kids aren't familiar with the stories but I have yet to meet one that doesn't like them. Their tongue twisting rhymes and nonsensical words are fun for the reader to read out loud as well. I recently took this to a second grade class who enjoyed it. The message of the book is a simple but important one, we must take care of the planet or risk losing it's precious resources. Even though it was written in 1971 it's message still holds up today and it's one I enjoy passing on to the kids I teach.

My friend Luigi recommended this book to me, I read it to my kid every night. The Lorax is based

HISTORY OF MY ASSOCIATION WITH THIS BOOK

Age 8 read 'The Lorax': Cried.

Age 10 saw the 1972 Lorax movie:
Watched the screen, rapt and inspired for the whole 25 minutes. Proceeded to go home and cry.

Age 16 saw the 2012 Lorax movie:
Was oldest person in cinema but still watched the screen, rapt and inspired for the 86 minutes running time. Admittedly cried *quietly* in back row.

In all seriousness, there are some books that shape people. This is mine.
Others can talk of the educational benefits of teaching children about the environment at young age, but I think that there's something more here.
Dr Seuss personalises the issues into the characters of this story but thats not what caused me to start sobbing.
It's the bittersweet, the acidity of it's sugary lightness. The reality, finitness, found in Seuss' fantasy. The idea that devastation is unescapable.

Yet equally, it's the possibility of hope:

"Catch! calls the Once-ler.
He lets something fall.
It's a Truffula Seed.
It's the last one of all!
You're in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.
And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.
Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.
Then the Lorax and all of his friends may come back."

Many things could be said about 'The Lorax' as a definitive truth, but I'll let Seuss do it for me:

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better. It's not."

Xxx

Mucho mejor la película sin duda. El libro solo se centra en la historia propiamente de El Lorax dejando el claro mensaje sobre el cuidado de la naturaleza. Eso es todo. Espero conseguir las otras historias de Dr. Seuss como la de Horton y la de El Gato Ensombrerado.

Random question: Has anyone seen the sing-along edition of the animated special based on this book? A kid my mom was taking care of showed it to me all the way back in 2000, and it was my introduction to this story; I was completely unfamiliar with it before that. Ironically, the next school year, our science teacher showed us the same special...but it wasn't the sing-along edition.

never polute, RIGHT ON

This review consists of three parts: 1. My son's review (5 years old), 2. My daughter's review (8 years old), and 3. My review (the Mom). These are excerpts from the full review. To see the whole thing, visit us at www.motherdaughterbookreviews.com :)

DAUGHTER SAYS:

What I liked and disliked about it: I liked the funny, interesting names like Lorax and Once-ler. I liked the Truffula trees – they look like long stumps with hair. I didn’t like that the Once-ler was cutting the trees because the trees were pretty. The end was good because the Once-ler learned his lesson and felt bad about cutting down the trees. I liked how the Once-ler used the word “biggering” to talk about how his Thneed company was growing. I felt sad when all the trees and animals were gone and I hope that with one seed, it can all come back.

I didn’t like how the Once-ler was talking to the Lorax. I think I’m getting too old for Dr. Seuss books because the stories are too short; but I still like watching the movies.

My bottom line: I think littler kids like kindergarten kids and maybe kids in Grades 1 and 2 would like this book, but I still liked it.

SON SAYS:

What I liked and disliked about it: I really liked the Thneeds and how he made a whole shop of Thneeds – I really want a Thneed! I would use it as a pillow, or blanket, or a chair, or a couch, or a house, or as a rope to catch someone bad. I like how the Lorax just popped out of the tree stump, but he was bossy and mad. The Truffula trees were funny and cool. It didn’t bother me that the trees were getting cut because it was making Thneeds and I liked how the Once-ler’s stuff had the words “Once-ler” on it like his wagon and store. The Bar-ba-loots were funny with the way they climbed trees and ate berries. I liked how the city looked like when none of the Truffula trees were cut down. I also liked the telephone that the Once-ler dropped out of his house to talk to the little boy. I could use one of those to talk to my sister. I like the Once-ler’s house and how you use ladders to get to another floor. I really like the cover and the drawings of the city.

I didn’t like it when the Once-ler said “Shut up!” and when he called him “stupid”.

My bottom line: I think every kid in my kindergarten class would LOVE this book. I can’t wait to see the movie.

MOM SAYS:

What I liked and disliked about it: I thought I had read every Dr. Seuss book as a child. Well, I must admit that I don’t remember reading the Lorax. Perhaps it might have gone right over my head (as may be somewhat evident by my kids’ reviews – did my son REALLY say he wanted a Thneed!? Sigh…) I LOVED this book! As I was reading it, all I was thinking is that this is a simple story with such a strong message.

The illustrations of the Truffula trees and all the critters make you fall in love with this fantasy world. These images stand in stark contrast to the grey, drab, stripped-down environment pictured at the beginning and end of the book. The story effectively shows the deterioriation of the environment as the Once-ler gets greedier and greedier (love the use of the term “biggering” to describe his increasing greed). We turn pages to see less and less trees as the story progresses. We witness the migration of the Bar-ba-loots who rely on the berries of the Truffula tree. We are incredulous as the Once-ler turns a blind eye to the Swomee-Swans who cannot breathe with the smog created by the factory. We are saddened when the Humming-Fish must “walk on their fins” as their pond becomes inhabitable. But none of this compares to that final moment when the last Truffula tree is felled and the Lorax takes his leave.

But, thankfully we are not left hanging, Dr. Seuss delivers us hope at the very end. Oh, so well done!! Bravo, Dr. Seuss, bravo.

As mentioned above by my children, the Once-ler’s treatment of the Lorax is pretty harsh and some of the language is quite strong. However, compared to the dialogue that occurs in real life between greedy corporations and environmental groups, I find this language quite tame and relatively respectful. Ok, it’s quite disrespectful, but the idea is that the Once-ler is the villain so it just makes him that much more so when he’s mean to that poor little Lorax.

My bottom line: I was pleasantly surprised by this book, but I’m a bit perplexed by what I should say for a recommendation. The message of the book clearly went over my pro-Thneed son’s five-year old head, but my eight year-old daughter felt that the book was a bit too simple for her. I LOVED it. I will recommend this book for 3 to 7 year olds but be prepared to really discuss the message in the book – - otherwise you may find yourself trolling ebay for a “Thneed”.

UNLESS someone like you
cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better.
It's not!

This book became a topic of discussion at my office when one of my far-right coworkers referred to it as “subversive literature”. Now that I know that it pisses off evangelistic conservatives I am making it my mission to promote it (t-shirts, bumper stickers, etc) ad nauseam…