The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

3rd grade and up

I’ve always felt that Dr. Seuss books are among the most allegorical of all children’s books – Yertle the Turtle was among my first experiences with the evils of dictatorships – so I was not surprised to find The Lorax to be an environmental allegory. The Once-ler’s story of causing the near extinction of the truffula trees and the destruction of an entire ecological system is not for the little boy’s benefit because he paid his fee. It is a warning to children and adults of the dangers of destroying the environment through the deforestation and pollution of irresponsible industry, and just as the Once-ler puts the last truffula seed into the boy's hands, Seuss puts the responsibility of renewing the environment on his readers.

But Dr. Seuss is not alone is writing books that aim to teach children lessons. These types of books have existed as long as books for children have been written, and they will continue to be written. In our library, the Sommer-time books by Carl Sommer are quite popular, as are the series books such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Franklin, and Arthur, all of which lead children through moral or social issues by encouraging them to identify with their protagonists.