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Summary: Is this book Dangerous? A Review of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax
Review: 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.
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Summary: Wonderful and powerful
Review: Seuss has constructed the starting point of the environmental movement. More than just a children's book, The Lorax provides the fundamental lessons about the finite nature of even 'renewable' resources, the interconnectedness of living things and the ultimate economic futility of thinking about nature as an infinitely capable resource provider.The story is practically folklore, but to recount it briefly, the Onceler is a business owner that turns Trufula trees into Thneeds, despite the opposition of the Lorax. The Onceler continues to grow, impacting the wildlife until ultimately he destroys the trufula forest. The story ends on a positive note, as the Onceler tells readers that it doesn't have to be that way if they take care of the trees. It's a simple message, but even hardened environmentalists can recite lines from it, suggesting it has long term appeal.
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Summary: the lorax
Review: The Lorax is very interesting because there are so many problems and only one solution can fix them . I also like it because it has so many details in it. If this book sounds interesting to you why don't you read it and enjoy all of the storys of Dr.Seuss.
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Summary: I am allison5000, I speak for "The Lorax"
Review: "The Lorax" is Dr. Seuss' masterpiece and, of course, an important work of environmental concern. Its ecological slant, though, tends to overshadow how much fun this book can really be! The Once-ler, the Truffula trees, the thneeds that everyone needs... this is a tremendously entertaining read! Most Amazon reviews of this item tend towards the overly serious, and that's a shame, I think. The message is obviously of great import, but who who'd pay much attention if the Lorax wasn't a groovy character? Dr. Seuss was quite savvy to wrap his message within such colorfully enjoyable artwork.
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Summary: The Most Important Dr. Suess Book Ever Written
Review: The Lorax is undoubtedly the most important book ever written by Theodore Geisel (Dr. Suess) and in my opinion, one of the most profound pieces EVER written, period. I feel so strongly about this book that I have a tattoo of the Lorax on my arm with just one word beneath it - UNLESS. Please, obtain this book either via a library, a friend, or purchase it. It is a sad tale that reflects not only the negative implications of clear cutting forests, but it also reflects modern society's irresponsible use of resources and the trend towards making things bigger and bigger and bigger (e.g. Sports Utility Vehicles, highways, homes, televisions, etc.). This comes at a tremendous expense to the Earth and all it's inhabitants. We are not only killing off species, but we are changing the very nature of the biospere via pollution and degradation of natural resources. UNLESS we change things now, the future of humans and other organisms on Earth is very bleak. All people need to either read or have this book read to them - children, adults, EVERYONE! Teachers and professors, I implore you - read this book to your students, or assign it to them, whether they are five or eighteen or one hundred - even if it happens to be banned where you teach (Pacific Northwest?). UNLESS people like us care a whole awful lot, nothing is ever going to change - it's not!
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Summary: A Lorax Review: in Rhyme
Review: 12 years ago at the old age of eight, I received this book and found it quite great! My parents had read me of this and of that, of Berenstein Bears and a Cat in a Hat. This book in itself makes quite a statement, sounding nothing quite like a drawn-out old lament. The story involved something unlike you or me, a being called a Once-ler, who we never do see. He tells his story from a boarded old store, and will not answer you if you knock at his door. But for the right price, he'll tell you the tale, and here is that story, in some minor detail: While travelling across lands and seas, the old once-ler found the Truffula trees. When he chopped down one tree there was a loud thump, and the Lorax appeared right out of that stump. He warned the Once-ler of what he was for, but the Once-ler didn't listen and thought him a bore. With cutting down trees, was born a Thneed, a so-called "Fine thing that all people need." The Once-ler made many, and money to spare, but his doing caused many to sadly despair. He polluted the air, he gummed up the pond, he cut down the trees til they soon were all gone. A sad story yes, but sad is to say, such examples of Once-lers can be found today. Dr. Seuss wrote this story out of will and good faith, but unless we heed it's warning, it may be too late. -Michael Howe, 11/10/00
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Summary: Essential to every child
Review: This book is an essential read for any child. Not only is it an adorable Seuss book, it is also possibly a child's first understandable introduction to environments dangers, conservation, and the horror of clear cutting. I read this book as a child, and it has remained my favorite into my adult years. I hope that it becomes a favorite when I have children. I am sure that it will. Phenomenal book
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Summary: How the Lorax got lifted away...
Review: The Lorax is one of my favorite Seuss books. Of all the Seuss books, it lends itself most nicely to dramatic reading for children. It is a story with a message that hits home in a personal way for the reader. On top of that, the artwork is among Dr Seuss' most beautiful. The story is narrated by the "bad guy" of the story, the Once-ler. The Once-ler is a business man who comes to a beautiful land full of wonderful creatures and more importantly-at least as far as the Once-ler is concerned-truffula trees. The Once-ler starts chopping down the truffula trees so he can make their tufts into thneeeds (which everyone needs). The Lorax is a small furry creature that springs from one of the truffula tufts. The Lorax, like a prophet of old, warns the Once-ler about the dangers of what he is doing. He stays with the Once-ler as the surrounding ecosystem falls apart and dies. The Lorax also leads the animals in his care to other lands where they can be safe from the tribulations caused by the Once-ler's greed. As the Once-ler's destruction of the area becomes almost complete, the Lorax literally lifts himself out of the situation-leaving only a stone engraved with one word: "UNLESS". The story begins and ends years later. The Once-ler sits in his tower all alone; he is rich but saddened and remorseful. His narration begins when a traveler comes to visit him and ask him about the story of the "lifted Lorax". His narration, and the story, ends with the Once-ler explaining the "UNLESS" left on the stone. The Once-ler says that the "UNLESS" means that unless somebody cares a whole awful lot, the things that have gone wrong will never be put right. The Once-ler then gives his visitor the last truffula seed and says that what happens next is up to him. Dr Seuss' message about the environment is both powerful and personal. I believe that both Seuss' condemnation of the way things are going and his call for deeper caring about the environment still ring true today. We need to heed that call in both words and deeds. We humans are called to be stewards of creation. However, I also believe that Seuss's book points to something else we should keep in mind. Romans 8:19-22 says: "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now." Our failure as stewards probably has a lot to do with our fallen nature. We are not as God intends us to be. The only way that we, as fallen beings, can ever heed Dr. Seuss' eloquent call is through the grace and power of our merciful Creator who loves both the creature and the creation. I recommend this book. Buy it, but don't just read it...think about it.
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: What a fantastic way for me to teach my 22 month old that the world does not belong to him but that he belongs to the world! I'm thrilled to have an opportunity to impart the wisdom of environmental consciousness at such an early age through this book.
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Summary: the best dr.seuss book
Review: Dr.Seuss has written some wonderful books in his time but the lorax out shines them all. I am a 17 year old high school student who teaches special ed children, my kids love Dr.Seuss and have learned so much from him; as have I.
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