Citation: Seuss, D. (1971). The Lorax. New York: Random House.
Book Level: First Grade
Summary and Commentary: A boy lives in a very polluted area where he visits a man who is isolated. There is a street which is sought to be the "lifted Lorax". The boy is very curious about this and pays the older, isolated man in knick-knacks to hear the legend of the Lorax and how the Lorax was lifted away. The guy, named the "Once-ler" tells the boy the story. He says that there was once a beautiful valley with a forest of Truffla trees and many animals. The man says he once chopped one of the trees down. The man claims that the Lorax was the speaker of the trees and is very upset about this. The Once-ler starts a business out of the Truffla trees and
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Although he had already destroyed the forest, the Lorax still made an impression on him. The Once-ler wouldn't have lived in isolation and regretted his mistakes if the Lorax hadn't have spoken up.
Activity #1: Lets help the Earth, too!
Purpose: Create a deeper understanding with the story by realizing why and how the Lorax had a deep connection with the Earth and protecting his community. They will realize that they can be as compassionate and caring as the Lorax. They will also realize that the story is deeper than it may seem, and they will gain a deeper understanding of the story as they read.
Instructions: Create a list of how you (the student) will vow to protect the environment on a worksheet. Their answers will be published on a bulletin board in the classroom unless asked not to.
Steps:
1. Give students the worksheet attached after reading and having a class discussion about The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.
2. Students will have 15-20 minutes to write down their answers.
3. There will be an opportunity to share at the end of the activity, however, this will be kept short since these vows will be published within the classroom.
Source:
After reading this essay, I now see Seuss and his work in a different perspective. In one way I am disturbed and curious, but another part of me is inspired of the genius that Seuss is. He put a great deal of passion and life lessons into his cartoons and stories. I feel as if children’s books are specifically for children and to encourage them to learn. Because Seuss work is so successful and children will not think this far in depth
Dr. Seuss, also known as Theodore Seuss, has written many poems as well as short stories, and is considered one of the greatest children’s author in history. His silly stories are able to excite children in ways that make them want read. His Wife says,” Ted doesn’t sit down to write for children. He writes to amuse himself;” Little do children know that often, in his stories, there is a lot of political undertone, a few examples include The Lorax, Yertle the Turtle, The Sneethces, and The Butter Battle Book. If you were to really critique some of his books or poems, you might see that some of his themes wouldn’t seem to pertain to children.
Quite a while before “green” was the new black, Dr. Seuss wrote a cautionary story about trees. The Lorax, originally published in 1971 by Dr. Seuss, is a classic children’s book. The classic was recently turned into an animated film. In 2012, The Lorax film was made by directors Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda (“The Lorax”). The book and the film have the same basic storyline; however, there are a few differences.
In today's world getting enraged and angry won't make somebody change their mind on anything, instead getting angry just causes more conflict. According to The Lorax on page 2, the text states, "He was very upset as he shouted and puffed-- 'What's that THING you've made out of my Truffula Tuft.'" Maybe the Once-Ler and the Lorax could have made a deal. A deal stating that maybe the Once-Ler has to plant a tree for every tree he chops down, but the Lorax immediately comes off angry and overprotective. The Lorax's rage just made the Once-Ler want to cut down even more trees. Horton stayed calm and just stayed nice and kind and in the end it all worked out for him. In addition to the Lorax not being generous he also wasn't persistent at all. According to The Lorax, the Once-Ler states, "And that Lorax? He didn't show up anymore." (Page 2). This quote shows that the Lorax wasn't persistent because after the Once-Ler and the Lorax had their first encounter the Lorax didn't come to yell in anger at the Once-Ler anymore when he should have asked the Once-Ler to please leave or just come to an agreement with the Once-Ler. Even when the Lorax chose his way to come across as angry to the Once-Ler to try to get rid of him The Lorax was not persistent at all while
“Dr. Seuss At Work.” Scholastic News—Edition 1 69.6 (2013): 1. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 5 March. 2014
Despite the importance of preserving nature, commercial growth has taken precedence, resulting in an exploitation of natural resources.
“Waiting for the Signal From Home…”, PM Magazine, February 13,1942, Dr. Seuss ddndn Collection, MSS230, Special Collections and Archives, UC San Diego Library.
Theodor Seuss Geisel. [A profile of the author’s life and works]. (2004). Contemporary Authors Online. Retrieved from Gale Cengage Learning.
Dr. Seuss I took an unconventional approach in the topic I chose for my reading assignment – whereas most groups selected single novels, my partner and I opted to read a collection of short stories by none other than the notorious Dr. Seuss. Were I writing this essay on a “normal” book, I would be able to pose a question about the book itself and answer it in an ordinary sort of way. However, given the subject matter I have chosen, an essay on an individual book, though possible, would be a very tricky thing to do. It would be wiser, and probably easier, to respond to the man himself. My decision to respond to the man himself makes many more choices – what facet of Dr. Seuss shall I ask myself questions about? I think perhaps I first need to give some brief biographical information on the man to understand the background he’s coming from. In 1904, Theodore Seuss Geisel was born in Massachusetts, USA. I have not been able to find too much documentation about his childhood, but he certainly did not come from a terribly poor or terribly unsuccessful family… in fact, his family had owned a local brewery in their home town of Springfield for several years. Ever since his childhood, Geisel had dabbled in the fields we all know and love him for today… for instance, during bible recitals, he read the verses to a rhythm and often in rhyme. In High School he wrote many short essays and drew cartoons for the school paper, and even then he had adopted a pseudonym for himself – “Pete the Pessimist”. Upon graduation, Geisel began studying literature at Oxford university, as his original intent was to become an educator… even then, he punctuated his time at Oxford with his job editing and contributing to the “Jack-O-Lantern”, ...
d. Both stories indicate that the ecological footprint of people is greater than the biological capacity for resource renewal. The Lorax shows that Once-ler only cared about his own benefits without thinking about the harm he gives to the resources that are not renewable. The Lorax presents that the society does not believe in sustainable practices and overconsumes the resources. To live sustainably, the society should rely on source of energy that can be replenished, use matter, control population growth and depend on local biodiversity. Like the Lorax, the Truax also does not indicate practicing sustainability. It presents the occurring deforestation and how people get maximum benefits from it. In comparison to Once-ler, Truax understands
Perrault, B. (2003). Little red riding hood. In Schilb, J. and Clifford, J. (Ed.) Making literature matter (pp. 667-669). NY: Bedford/St. Martin?s.
According to literary critic Clifton Fadiman, “Theodor Geisel Seuss provided ingenious and uniquely witty solutions to the standing problem of illiteracy among children (qtd. in Kaplan).” Due to various influential figures and profound experiences during his lifetime, as well as expert use of creative literary techniques, Theodor Seuss Geisel’s children’s books continue to compel readers of all ages – allowing them to escape into different worlds filled with nonsense.
What kid hasn’t heard of Dr. Seuss? From “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish” to “A person’s a person, no matter how small” to “From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere”, Dr. Seuss has filled the lives of children with whimsical stories and ideas. (8) Using casual dialect and everyday objects, he was able to spark the imagination of others. All the while, he instilled lessons into his writings. It is not a surprise that Dr. Seuss received an award for a “Lifetime of Contribution to Children’s Literature”. His work will be read and enjoyed for decades to come. All in all, no matter which Dr. Seuss story that the reader might select, his or her imagination will be sparked, and the reader will surely be entertained.
“The Lorax reflects the era in 1971 in which the book was written. During that time, the United States was entangled in environmental issues left over from the 1960s. The deforestation of the Pacific Northwest was chief among them; logging companies were cutting down trees at alarming rates. The logging industry were not happy about The Lorax and as a result the book was banned from many schools and libraries near thriving timber communities. Timber industry groups even sponsored a rebuttal book, called The Truax, which helped kids understand the necessity of harvesting timber (Ayers)”.
Many sands had the tree known; many green neighbors had come and gone, yet the tree remained. The mighty roots had endured such whips and scorns as had been cast upon it, but the old tree had survived, a pillar of twisted iron and horn against the now sickly sky. In the waning light of evening, the tree waited.