“Robert of Ravenclaw said: 3 stars
This is a classic book.
It tells the tale of what happens when one abuse there environment. The story is simple and in many ways a fun read because of the words Dr. Seuss uses in the book. It a bit to much of an environmentalist for my taste , but my 3 year old niece like it.
Christina T said: 5 Stars
Synopsis:
When the Once-ler stops along his travels to utilize one of the many Truffula Trees to make a Thneed the Lorax intervenes on behalf of the trees. The Once-ler replied that it's only one tree until he sold his Thneed for a hefty proffit. He then called all his family and they chopped down more and more to make more Thneeds.
My Thoughts:
I haven't read a Dr Seuss book in probably 30 years and was entertained and amazed at the message behind this book. This is not a simple children's book, don't let the silly rhyming made up words fool you. This is a message about capitalism and greed in addition to quite the environmental stand.
When the Once-ler realized he could make so much money on the Thneeds he was creating he did whatever he could to make more. The Lorax intervened on behalf of the trees begging the Once-ler to cease. The Once-ler replied "I'm being quite useful. This thing is a Thneed. A Thneed's a Fine-Something-That-All-People-Need!" And so he ignored the plight of the trees. Later the Lorax would come back 3 more times to speak for the Brown Bar-ba-loots who's food supply was dwindling with each chopped tree, the Swomee-Swans who could no longer sing with all the smog in their throats, and the Humming-Fish who's gills were getting all gummed because the water was so polluted. All the animals had to find new homes and when the last of the Truffula Trees was chopped, the Once-ler's family all left too and he was left with buildings falling down, polluted water and air and very much alone with only the last word the Lorax said to him for comfort. "Unless."
I loved this message. Dr. Seuss wrote this book in 1971 the message is more dire 40 years later. There is some hope though for the Once-ler had a visitor much later who he gave the very last Truffula Seed to. The boy was told to plant a new Truffula Tree and treat it with care. To give it clean water and feed it fresh air. From one little seed a forest can grow but cannot Unless someone cares.
Ellen R said: 5 stars
The Lorax is a gentle creature who lived in the beautiful Truffula Tree Forest. One day an enterprising creature, Once-ler, happened upon the forest and realized that he could cut down the trees and knit thneeds from the soft fronds. The Lorax pleaded with the Once-ler to stop cutting down the trees but the Once-ler knew he had hit a gold mine with his thneeds and began to cut down the trees at a dizzying pace. Soon the Once-ler had a vast factory for his thneed production but the wildlife in the Truffula forest began to leave. Before long smog and pollution had ruined the entire area and the Lorax sadly departed his once pristine home. The Once-ler's empire grew bigger and bigger until all of the Truffula trees were gone. With no materials to draw from the Once-ler closed his factory but only then did he realize what he had done. He lives in the barren forest still hoping someone will come along and plant the last truffula seed.
What a wonderful way to teach children about the fragile environment. As usual, Dr. Seuss poetry and illustrations are wonderful. I just loved it!
Alli formally awelker said: 4 stars
This book is a classic childrens novel. Once-ler is a man that knows about how the lorax came to disappear from that area. I think overall this is a great book for children. It teaches a great message to them and even to adults too. It teaches them that if we don't take care of our environment its going to disappear and that with proper care we can fix what we have already done to it.
LibraryCin said: 5 stars
This was originally written in 1971, but still holds true today. Basically, it is the environment vs. big business and it points out the danger to the environment. It is a picture book, but this is one isn't only for kids. Like with some of Dr. Seuss's other books, this one holds up very well for adults, too. It took a few pages to get used to some of the made-up words, and I do think Dr. Seuss is better read out loud, even if you are only reading it to yourself. Overall, though, I loved this one! I like that the edition I read from the library (reprinted in 1999) was printed on recycled paper.”
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review Saturday, August 18, 2012.
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