Title: The Lorax
Author: Dr. Seuss
First published January 1, 1971
72 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780679889106 (ISBN10: 0679889108)
Rating: 4.34
Overview
“Listen up, my friend. The Lorax has a story to tell, and it’s one that’ll make you think twice about your actions towards the environment.
Dr. Seuss, through his beloved character, brings to light the importance of preserving nature’s beauty and the consequences of reckless progress. This timeless tale is now available in a mini-edition that you can carry with you wherever you go.
Let the Lorax be your guide, and join the fight to save our planet, every day.”
About the Author
Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1925 and went on to Oxford University to pursue a doctorate in literature.
During his time at Oxford, he met Helen Palmer, whom he married in 1927. Upon his return to America, he began submitting cartoons and humorous articles to Judge, the leading humor magazine at the time, as well as to Life, Vanity Fair, and Liberty.
Some of his works referenced an insecticide called Flit, which caught the attention of advertisers and led to a 17-year contract to draw comic ads for Flit. This association catapulted him to national fame and popularized the phrase “Quick, Henry, the Flit!”
In 1936, while on a vacation to Europe, Geisel heard the rhythmic beat of a ship’s engine, which inspired him to write And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. However, the book was rejected by the first 43 publishers he approached before a friend finally published it in 1937.
The book achieved moderate success.
During World War II, Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood, where he wrote for Frank Capra’s Signal Corps Unit and produced documentaries that won him two Oscars for Hitler Lives and Design for Death. He also created a cartoon called Gerald McBoing-Boing, which also won an Oscar.
In 1954, after Life published a report on illiteracy among school children, Geisel’s publisher sent him a list of 400 important words and asked him to write a book using only 250 of them. Nine months later, Geisel published The Cat in the Hat, which became an instant sensation.
In 1960, Bennett Cerf bet Geisel $50 that he couldn’t write an entire book using only 50 words. Geisel proved him wrong with Green Eggs and Ham, but Cerf never paid up.
Geisel’s first wife, Helen Palmer Geisel, passed away in 1967. He then married Audrey Stone Diamond in 1968.
Theodor Seuss Geisel died on September 24, 1991. He also wrote under the pen name Dr. Seuss.
Editoral Review
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss is a classic children’s book first published on January 1, 1971. Known for his whimsical rhymes, imaginative creatures, and simple yet profound messages, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax explores themes of environmentalism, greed, and corporate responsibility.
In the story, we meet the Once-ler, a businessman who arrives in a beautiful, natural landscape and begins to chop down trees to make a profitable invention. Despite the warnings of the Lorax, a small, mustached creature who speaks for the trees, the Once-ler persists in his harmful actions until the landscape is destroyed, and the animals and creatures who once lived there are driven away.
However, the Once-ler learns an important lesson about the value of nature and begins the process of restoring his wrongdoings, planting new trees and doing his part to protect the environment.
Not only does The Lorax entertain and engage young readers with its playful language and colorful illustrations, but the book also has significant historical and cultural relevance.
The book’s publication in 1971 coincided with a time of heightened environmental awareness in the United States, and the story’s message to protect nature and combat corporate greed continued to resonate with readers for decades to come.
Dr. Seuss’ writing style is unmatched in its ability to convey complex themes and ideas in simple, accessible language, making the book appealing for both children and adults.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, with the Lorax representing the conscience and voice of reason often silenced by greed and short-sighted thinking.
One criticism of The Lorax is that the story’s resolution may be overly simplistic and idealistic, masking the more complicated and challenging realities of environmental destruction and capitalist greed.
Additionally, some readers may find the book’s moralizing tone overly preachy or didactic.
Overall, The Lorax is a charming and valuable addition to any child’s bookshelf, offering important lessons about the importance of environmental stewardship, corporate responsibility, and the power of individual action.
The book’s timelessness and relevance continue to make it relevant and inspiring for readers of all ages.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
