The Lorax - Dr Seuss
I don't know how I managed to miss this book growing up. I LOVE Dr Seuss and thought that I had read them all. I recently borrowed this one from the library for my kids and it is fantastic. It has a very strong environmental message. The Lorax is trying to get a businessman (the Onceler) to understand the impact he is having by cutting down all the Truffula Trees. the Lorax speaks for the trees and the subsequently for several different animals because they can't speak for themselves. Eventually the Lorax disappears because the Onceler has cut down all the trees and all the animals have left. The final message is that if we want the Lorax to return, we have to nurture the last Truffula tree seed and then maybe the Lorax and his friends will return. It all sounds really serious, but Dr Seuss manages to make it such a fun read for kids. It was a great way to start a discussion about how important it is that we protect the environment with my children but it was also just such a fun book to read. How does Dr S do it?

I love-love-loved this book as a kid. I must buy it for mine. As always my favourite part of Seuss is the made-up words. Snuvv, brown barbaloots, thneeds! They just roll off the tongue. Also a good Seuss for kids who can read well, as the story is more involved than your Fox in Socks or Green Eggs and Ham.

I mentioned The Lorax to my daughter's kindergarten teacher yesterday and she is quite keen to have a look to read to her class. She said it is quite difficult to find good books with environmental themes to read to young children. They are either too heavy/serious or just not interesting for the kids. Uno's Garden by Graeme Base is another great one.