Blogger: Rachel Kent
Location: Books & Such main office; Santa Rosa, Calif.
Friday pick: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Here is the link to the movie page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1482459/
The Lorax is a children’s book written by Dr. Seuss back in the 1970’s. It’s basically the story of a greedy character “The Once-ler” who comes to a forest and uses up all of the trees damaging the environment almost beyond repair. The Lorax is a creature that speaks for the trees and the creatures of the forest and warns the Once-ler of the damage he is doing. The book has been quite controversial as a children’s story because of its strong environmentalist message.
I think this book will do well as a movie at this time because:
1) The Green Movement has made even young children aware of the environment.
2) Animation is at a wonderful place now so Dr. Suess’s strange world can come to life in an amazing way.
3) The movie could be deep enough that parents would feel like there’s a message in it even for them.
I’ll probably wait until the movie comes out on DVD before I see it, but if I had kids I might take them. I’m not sure . The little Lorax sure looks cute!
Can you think of other reasons why this book was picked to be a movie? Did you like this story when you read it? Would you take your child to see the movie? Why or why not?
Thanks so much for your wonderful comments this week. Have a great weekend!
The books of Dr. Seuss have held such appeal for generations that it’s no surprise to me this book is being made into a movie. As you mentioned, the animation nowadays will make it amazing.
I’ve read this book more than once. My son didn’t care for it as a kid, and my daughters have only read it a couple of times. I’m not sure my girls will want to see the movie. I thought the new version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carey was a bit creepy. My youngest was petrified of it until last year. Like with the remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp, there seems to be a desire to create more backstory for these characters than the original creators intended. I’m not sure if that will be the case with The Lorax, but one would think something would have to change to make it a movie-length feature.
Thanks for this week of great posts, Rachel. I truly enjoyed them.
I loved this book from the moment I first read it because the message to me was clear and simple: hope.
The single seed of the tree reminded me of faith the size of a mustard seed. Great things can be accomplished, huge mistakes can be turned around, and eyes can be opened with just a seed of faith watered by hope.
If my son was older I would definitely take him to see this. As it is, I may see it myself. 🙂
Hi, Rachel
Thanks for telling us about this movie. I had not heard about it. Actually, I don’t remember reading The Lorax, but I’m sure that I must have read it. Would I take my child to see it? Yes! Although, I might wait until it comes out on DVD. I think this movie was chosen to be made because it reminds us of the dangers to our environment, plus, when I read your post, I thought about e-books for some reason. If more people read e-books, it would definitely help the environment and save some of those trees! 🙂