LDS Ladies Book Club discussion

This is the second June picture book and discussion is lead by Christi

Hello ladies! If you haven't already pulled out your copy or put on hold from the library a copy of The Lorax by Dr Seuss, now is the time to do it! Wednesday is going to come faster than we think!

Dr Seuss is one of my favorite children's book authors for a couple reason: he makes reading FUN and he writes so not only kids like to read the book but adults as well. The Lorax is no different! As most of you know this is considered to be a controversy book, so as always remember that we are all friends and all of us are entitled to our own thoughts, feelings, and opinions! :)

Here are so questions that I have found that we can talk about this up and coming week:
1) Did you like the book? Why or why not?
2) What is the main theme or idea the Dr Seuss is trying to portray in the book, The Lorax?
3) In the story who is the Once-ler? Who could he represent in today's world?
4) In the story, who is the Lorax? Who could he represent in our society?
5) What are the Truffulla Trees? What are the "thneeds"? Do we have those in our world today? Name a few examples.

Thanks Christi for leading this and for the great questions. I am going to have to put on my thinking cap.
I too like Dr Seuss. What is there to not like? Like you said, fun and engaging with tongue twisting words. It makes reading and finding new words exciting and I always loved the goofy pictures.
The main theme to me is conservation and stewardship of this beautiful world we have given. Basically, if we pursue greed and things we don't really need, then we lose things that we do really need; clean air, water, plant and animal life, health and well being for us and the other inhabitants.
This was the first time I had read this book so thanks for suggesting it. I really liked it and we read it several times in our family.
The Lorax seems to me to be the voice of reason or conscience. I suppose to us in the gospel that would be the Holy Ghost, who will certainly up and leave if we continue down a wrong path after several promptings/warnings.
Once-ler is harder to place. Maybe a once-ruler? once-profiteer? He would represent big market movers and conglomerates who rape the earth recourses and many of our fellow man to make stuff that we really don't need. Do we really need 3 tvs, 20 outfits, 20 pairs of shoes? You get my drift.
The Truffulla Trees are an example of the variety and rarity of many different species in the world that are beautiful in their place and function but when used for something else they are not as bountiful as they were and eventually we may lose them altogether.
My 18 year old daughter gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars, and so did I.

This was my first time reading this book. It seems I've read all the others besides this one. Weird. Anyway, I thought it was very prophetic and spot on in our world today. I normally don't like stories that paint all people as evil for using natural resources, but this one didn't seem to have the agenda that others typically do. I thought it was a good reminder of proper stewardship. Great book.

Oohhh... thanks Christi for some thought provoking questions on a seemingly simple book like the Lorax. Those questions are awesome :) Thanks I'll chime in soon. ~Janet

I reas this one with my kids this morning. We had seen the animated movies before so I has a rough idea what the book was about.
The one thing different from the book and animated movie (to my recollection) is the meaning of unless.
In the animated film I think I assumed that unless meant unless we are good stewards of our world.
In book I felt it could also mean unless we start trying to help the world by planting trees etc.
I do think it is about conservation but also trying to help undo damage already done by our ancestors.
Plant trees. Put money and effort into animal conservation and breeding programs.
Then of course using resources now in better ways too.
The once-ler to me is corporations but also people in modern times who want to have every ease and comfort. Technology supplies so many things but I think we could all live comfortably without most of it. There was a time I had no cell phone. Now I panic if I leave it at home instead of packing it in my purse. For yrs I lived without it but now feels like a necessity.
I see the Lorax as being the personification of nature and natural order. Trees die. Animals lose resources and so leave or die. Then eventually nature cannot revibe an area without help.
Good book.

I love The Lorax. I teach social studies and usually use around Earth Day. I like that it presents the idea of preservation/conversation in a way that is possible for everyone. Dr Seuss was a great visionary. I wonder what he'd think of this world today?

I read this book yesterday. I did like it. What stood out to me was the pile of rocks with the word "unless". I found that very hopeful. I think that even when things go wrong, there is always hope that we can make it right again. The "once-ler" became the spark for the hope, as he learned from his mistake and could tell others of his experience and encourage them to take the step of change needed to prevent a future catastrophe. Dr. Seuss really is amazing in how he taught such great lessons in his books in such an interesting way.

Katrina wrote: "I read this book yesterday. I did like it. What stood out to me was the pile of rocks with the word "unless". I found that very hopeful. I think that even when things go wrong, there is always hope..."

You are correct Katrina in pointing out the pile of rocks and the word "unless."

Unless we learn from our mistakes, unless we stop we doing what we are doing that is so destructive, unless we do these things, a pile of rocks or a ruin is all those who come after us will have to look at.