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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
This was a great story. It really shows and tells kids about the negative affects of pollution but how someone who cares can make a difference.
Fantastic book for kids! So imaginative and creative. Easy read that children will find delightful!
Dr. Seuss is always brilliant! His stories and rhymes are fun and entertaining! Some of my all time favorites!! Such a great way to entertain children and get them interested in reading!
Dr. Seuss is always brilliant! His stories and rhymes are fun and entertaining! Some of my all time favorites!! Such a great way to entertain children and get them interested in reading!
informative
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This gets five stars for being beautifully written, and one for being heavy handed, which averages out to four for me. I'm a conservationist, but there is no nuance in The Lorax's presentation of environmentalism: the book simply demonizes business.
The Once-ler is an extreme negative caricature of the capitalist: what he offers society as an entrepreneur is not valuable in any way, he has no regard for anything but his own profit, and he proceeds with reckless abandon. Of course, in a world that is not an emotionally manipulative moral fable, the Once-ler would have planted many more Truffula trees LONG before they became extinct, because when a resource is profitable and replenishable, any capitalist with even half a brain replenishes it. On the other hand, I suppose the Lorax could be said also to be an extreme negative caricature of the environmentalist: he pops on the scene sporadically to scold with righteous indignation, offers no compromise, accomplishes nothing, leaves the costs of realizing his cause to others, and literally flies by the seat of his pants. (And yet I've never heard an environmentalist complain about the Lorax's lack of complexity.)
Nevertheless, despite its caricatures and lack of nuance, I cannot deny the overall quality and effect of the story. The mood setting is phenomenal, and I'm always amazed that the Dr. Seuss books, no matter how long, hold my preschooler's attention the entire time. Other books half that long would not do so. I don't remember particularly caring about this one when I read it as a child. As an adult, however, from a purely literary perspective, it strikes me as being among his best. It's a superbly effective piece of propaganda, and, if I weren’t so concerned about balance, compromise, and critical thinking, I'd give it five stars. Perhaps, however, I shouldn't be so concerned: after all, isn't most children's literature painted in sweeping strokes of black and white? Children don't think with the critical faculties of adults, and what is my daughter really going to take away from this? (A) Capitalism is evil and I should never start my own business, or (B) I should plant a tree! I hope it will be only (B), and (B) is not a bad thing at all.
The Once-ler is an extreme negative caricature of the capitalist: what he offers society as an entrepreneur is not valuable in any way, he has no regard for anything but his own profit, and he proceeds with reckless abandon. Of course, in a world that is not an emotionally manipulative moral fable, the Once-ler would have planted many more Truffula trees LONG before they became extinct, because when a resource is profitable and replenishable, any capitalist with even half a brain replenishes it. On the other hand, I suppose the Lorax could be said also to be an extreme negative caricature of the environmentalist: he pops on the scene sporadically to scold with righteous indignation, offers no compromise, accomplishes nothing, leaves the costs of realizing his cause to others, and literally flies by the seat of his pants. (And yet I've never heard an environmentalist complain about the Lorax's lack of complexity.)
Nevertheless, despite its caricatures and lack of nuance, I cannot deny the overall quality and effect of the story. The mood setting is phenomenal, and I'm always amazed that the Dr. Seuss books, no matter how long, hold my preschooler's attention the entire time. Other books half that long would not do so. I don't remember particularly caring about this one when I read it as a child. As an adult, however, from a purely literary perspective, it strikes me as being among his best. It's a superbly effective piece of propaganda, and, if I weren’t so concerned about balance, compromise, and critical thinking, I'd give it five stars. Perhaps, however, I shouldn't be so concerned: after all, isn't most children's literature painted in sweeping strokes of black and white? Children don't think with the critical faculties of adults, and what is my daughter really going to take away from this? (A) Capitalism is evil and I should never start my own business, or (B) I should plant a tree! I hope it will be only (B), and (B) is not a bad thing at all.
Good book, adequately shows the evils of prioritizing profit.
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Why the Once-ler never thought to plant the last Truffula seed himself is beyond me. As a businessman, he also should've taken steps to ensure his business thrives, that is to replenish his resources as he takes away. The Truffula trees are renewable, seeing as the Once-ler possesses a seed. So why didn't he keep planting more trees after he cut them down?
I have to admit I only came to learn of this book due to the movie release. I love this book for the same reason I love The Grinch Who Stole Xmas. These books first appear to be a fun rhyming, colorful, silly looking stories but later reveal themselves to be exquisitely deep and profound. Perfect combination attracting both young and old.
I like that the story is told in the past through the memories of the Once-ler. This POV adds a sort of realism to the story, that yes there was this wonderful place that was ruined by the Once-ler’s greed. The ending of the story sends a pivotal message that we have the ability to protect the environment and that if we don’t than no one will.
Click here for the original review and activity ideas at Flowering Minds.
I like that the story is told in the past through the memories of the Once-ler. This POV adds a sort of realism to the story, that yes there was this wonderful place that was ruined by the Once-ler’s greed. The ending of the story sends a pivotal message that we have the ability to protect the environment and that if we don’t than no one will.
Click here for the original review and activity ideas at Flowering Minds.