The Lorax

The Lorax
Synopsis
Dr. Seuss's beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others. Experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book's final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference.
  • Virtue
    VIRTUE
    Is this the way I want my child to think and act?
    Ratings are based on how much a book extols Islamic morality and espouses classical ideals.
  • Language
    LANGUAGE
    Is this the way I want my child to speak?
    Ratings are based on a book's vocabulary, cadence, and overall eloquence suited to age level.
  • Story
    STORY
    Does this story resonate with my child?
    Ratings are based on the integrity of plot structure, the depth of characters, the palpability of the book's conflict and resolution, and the lure of its setting.
  • Beauty
    BEAUTY
    Does this book develop my child's ability to recognize beauty?
    Ratings are based on aesthetics, linguistic beauty, poignancy, and how well a book embodies ihsan—harmonizing excellence.
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Mindful Muslim Review

One of our favorite Dr. Seuss classics, this book teaches a child the cause and consequences of overconsumption. Whether through greed, ignorance, or carelessness, we mindlessly consume useless products that fill our homes but leave us feeling empty. Through the wisdom of a mystical creature whose presence is lost by the destruction of the environment, Suess explains the pitfalls of global, unchecked capitalism. In classic Seuss fashion, the rhythmic, lyrical words of the story leave the child with a sense of wonder at how adults can be so cruel to the plight of the Swomee Swans and the Brown Barbaloots, and a sense of urgency to not allow The Onceler’s future to become our own.

I meant no harm. I most truly did not.
But I had to grow bigger. So bigger I got.
I biggered my factory. I biggered my roads.
I biggered my wagons. I biggered the loads
of the Thneeds I shipped out. I was shipping them forth
to the South! To the East! To the West! To the North!
I went right on biggering… selling more Thneeds.
And I biggered by money, which everyone needs.

For a picture book with a similar message meant for a younger audience, Mindful Muslim Reader recommends The Cloud Spinner.

Ages: ,
Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Published: 1971
Page Count: 64
ISBN13: 9780394823379
*This review applies only to ISBN number noted above.

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