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The Lorax (Classic Seuss) Hardcover – Picture Book, August 12, 1971
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I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.
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.
Printed on recycled paper, this book is the perfect gift for Earth Day and for any child—or child at heart—who is interested in recycling, advocacy, and the environment, or just loves nature and playing outside.
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.
- Reading age3 - 7 years, from customers
- Print length72 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelKindergarten - 4
- Lexile measure560L
- Dimensions8.38 x 0.43 x 11.38 inches
- PublisherRandom House Books for Young Readers
- Publication dateAugust 12, 1971
- ISBN-109780394823379
- ISBN-13978-0394823379
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
The now remorseful Once-ler--our faceless, bodiless narrator--tells the story himself. Long ago this enterprising villain chances upon a place filled with wondrous Truffula Trees, Swomee-Swans, Brown Bar-ba- loots, and Humming-Fishes. Bewitched by the beauty of the Truffula Tree tufts, he greedily chops them down to produce and mass-market Thneeds. ("It's a shirt. It's a sock. It's a glove. It's a hat.") As the trees swiftly disappear and the denizens leave for greener pastures, the fuzzy yellow Lorax (who speaks for the trees "for the trees have no tongues") repeatedly warns the Once-ler, but his words of wisdom are for naught. Finally the Lorax extricates himself from the scorched earth (by the seat of his own furry pants), leaving only a rock engraved "UNLESS." Thus, with his own colorful version of a compelling morality play, Dr. Seuss teaches readers not to fool with Mother Nature. But as you might expect from Seuss, all hope is not lost--the Once-ler has saved a single Truffula Tree seed! Our fate now rests in the hands of a caring child, who becomes our last chance for a clean, green future. (Ages 4 to 8)
Review
"The Lorax. . . has been a perennial favorite of kids and parents since it was published in 1971."
From the Inside Flap
Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth's natural beauty.
"The big, colorful pictures and the fun images, word plays and rhymes make this an amusing exposition of the ecology crisis."?School Library Journal. Illus. in full color.
From the Back Cover
Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth's natural beauty.
"The big, colorful pictures and the fun images, word plays and rhymes make this an amusing exposition of the ecology crisis."--"School Library Journal. Illus. in full color.
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : 0394823370
- Publisher : Random House Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : August 12, 1971
- Language : English
- Print length : 72 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9780394823379
- ISBN-13 : 978-0394823379
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Reading age : 3 - 7 years, from customers
- Dimensions : 8.38 x 0.43 x 11.38 inches
- Part of series : Classic Seuss
- Grade level : Kindergarten - 4
- Lexile measure : 560L
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #15 in Stories in Verse
- #67 in Children's Classics
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Theodor Seuss Geisel—aka Dr. Seuss—is one of the most beloved children’s book authors of all time. From The Cat in the Hat to Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, his iconic characters, stories, and art style have been a lasting influence on generations of children and adults. The books he wrote and illustrated under the name Dr. Seuss (and others that he wrote but did not illustrate, including some under the pseudonyms Theo. LeSieg and Rosetta Stone) have been translated into 45 languages. Hundreds of millions of copies have found their way into homes and hearts around the world. Dr. Seuss’s long list of awards includes Caldecott Honors, the Pulitzer Prize, and eight honorary doctorates. Works based on his original stories have won three Oscars, three Emmys, three Grammys, and a Peabody.
Customer reviews
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book a valuable read for children, with one noting how it helps youngsters appreciate nature. Moreover, the story receives positive feedback for being a timeless tale that teaches valuable lessons, and customers praise its beautiful drawings and great rhyming. Additionally, the book effectively conveys environmental messages about protecting nature and resources, and customers appreciate that it's printed on recycled paper.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find this book excellent for children, with many noting it's a favorite for their children and fun to read together. One customer mentions it helps youngsters appreciate nature, while another recommends it for primary and early intermediate grades.
"This book is still relevant and children still enjoy it...." Read more
"A great book for children to learn to care for their environment." Read more
"...Love this book for kids." Read more
"Great message to teach the kids, focused on preserving nature and our resources." Read more
Customers love the story of this book, describing it as a timeless tale that first grade students particularly enjoy, with one customer noting they memorized most of it.
"Great story" Read more
"...The story still holds up. It's a great lesson about protecting the environment geared towards young people." Read more
"The Lorax is a classic story about protecting our environment and it’s up to us to do the work" Read more
"Great message for young and old alike as only Dr. Seuss can do." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's message, describing it as a simple and valuable lesson.
"This book is still relevant and children still enjoy it...." Read more
"Classic Dr. Seuss book with a good lesson" Read more
"This is a beautiful book with a great message that I want my son to learn...." Read more
"This is my favorite Dr Suess book! It delivers a really good message about the importance of protecting the environment...." Read more
Customers appreciate the visual quality of the book, praising its beautiful and colorful drawings that are whimsical and enticing.
"This is a beautiful book with a great message that I want my son to learn...." Read more
"...The pictures are colorful and keep my baby mesmerized while reading." Read more
"...Vibrant color and just perfect condition...." Read more
"...This is a great story with a positive message. The illustrations are colorful and fun, and help to keep my kids engaged...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's rhyming style, noting its straightforward poetry and good rhythm.
"...I love all the made up words and rhymes too. This is just miles better than the movie that added in so much to make it movie length." Read more
"...loves these books, great book to read before bed for some smiles and laughter." Read more
"...reading with someone else due to the bright pictures on every page, rhyming, silliness, and complete reading of the story in one sitting." Read more
"This has got to be one of the most revolutionary books ever written in English. Everyone should read it right now...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's environmental message, highlighting its focus on protecting nature and resources, with one customer specifically noting its emphasis on not cutting down many trees.
"...between corporate greed, mindless consumerism, and ecological issues to children in a non-scary or preaching way...." Read more
"...The story still holds up. It's a great lesson about protecting the environment geared towards young people." Read more
"Great message to teach the kids, focused on preserving nature and our resources." Read more
"The Lorax is a classic story about protecting our environment and it’s up to us to do the work" Read more
Customers appreciate that the book is printed on recycled paper.
"...I really appreciate that its a recycled product as well and it sparked a good conversation and lifestyle change for our family." Read more
"I love that this product is printed on recycled paper. My sister is always trying to teach her kids (ages 5&3) to be environmentally aware...." Read more
"The paper is nice and the pictures are vibrant when they are ment to be." Read more
"...The fact it is printed with recycled material is pretty great as well. I read this book to my 4yo and he brings many questions." Read more
Customers find the book to be an exceptional value.
"...Good buy, love it." Read more
"Arrived in clean and new condition. Worth the money." Read more
"...It was a great purchase and my kids aged 11, 4 and a baby all loved it. It was a great purchase and I’m so glad to add this one to our collection!" Read more
"Just what I wanted and expected. Exceptional value Ordered 5!!!" Read more
Reviews with images

Dr suess birthday.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseThis book is still relevant and children still enjoy it. Good way to explain the connections between corporate greed, mindless consumerism, and ecological issues to children in a non-scary or preaching way. I love all the made up words and rhymes too.
This is just miles better than the movie that added in so much to make it movie length.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseA traditional classroom book- a must have for Dr. Seuss theme week.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseI just love it and I have no words to describe other than amazing and wonderful plus fantastic
- Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseClassic Dr. Seuss book with a good lesson
- Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseArrived in good condition.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseArrived on time. Love the store.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseDefinitely his darkest book. Seuss’ illustrations were always weird and goofy but here they border on surreal, least in the opening and closing pages.
I read that some people think that it’s too gloomy or preachy to resonate with kids. Well, I remember reading it thirty-five years ago and being moved, and today my 3 year old daughter actually took a break from running in circles to listen entranced for the whole thing.
Incidentally, I haven’t seen the film, but I can’t help but feel a little saddened that the Once-ler has been transformed from a faceless green-handed nightmare figure to a hunky boy in a fedora.
Top reviews from other countries
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Ingeburg Boehm-BezingReviewed in Germany on October 12, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Immer wieder Dr. Seuss
Meine 4 Urenkel lieben diese Bücher. Ich liebe es, sie ihnen vorzulesen
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Miguel MoralesReviewed in Mexico on February 27, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Libro con un vocabulario muy intenso de inglés
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseMuy buen libro, la verdad si quieres aprender inglés no lo recomiendo si tienes un nivel muy avanzado debido al tecnicismo de las palabras pero fuera de eso, si dominas el idioma el cuento es perfecto para empatizar con la naturaleza.
- GregReviewed in Canada on June 24, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseThis book is so funny and the drawings are great
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Max.TReviewed in France on December 16, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Humour 100% Dr Seuss
Livre en anglais. A découvrir l'humour de Dr Seuss sans attendre. Style et dessins atypiques.
Lecture vraiment très accessible. Je le recommande.
- JNigoraReviewed in the United Arab Emirates on April 2, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Quality book
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseGreat book colorful and paper quality is Great