Hey Kids! Did you know that March 2 is the birthday of the famous author Dr. Seuss? It's also Read Across America Day, so you should celebrate by reading a Dr. Seuss book!
At the Department of Agriculture, taking care of the environment is one of our most important jobs. Dr. Seuss thought the environment is important too! He wrote about the importance of a clean, healthy Earth in many of his books, especially in "The Lorax." Would you like to learn more about Dr. Seuss and "The Lorax"? Read on!
Dr. Seuss Theodor Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss, was born in Massachusetts on March 2, 1904. That would make him 99 years old today! Theodor always had a great imagination and liked to draw funny pictures to make people laugh. He went to college at Dartmouth in New Hampshire and then went on to Oxford College in England. There, he met a special lady named Helen Palmer, who later became his wife.
Theodor worked in the advertising business for many years. During this time, he wrote and illustrated a children's alphabet book. He tried to get it published, but was turned down over 40 times! Theodor was discouraged and didn't write for a long time.
In 1936, Theodor started writing again after he did some traveling. His first book, "And to Think I Saw it On Mulberry Street" was published in 1937. He used his mother's last name of Seuss as his pen name.
During World War II, Theodor worked for the army in Hollywood, writing war documentaries and producing an Oscar winning cartoon called "Gerald McBoing-Boing." After the war, he read an article about how children weren't learning to read very well. Theodor wanted to help, so he started to write funny, entertaining children's books.
Over his career, Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel published 48 books that are still read and loved by many children around the world today.
The Lorax The Lorax is a powerful tale about the importance of taking care of the environment. It is about the sad Once-ler who long ago destroyed a beautiful area of land in order to make lots of money. The Lorax is a creature that lived in the land the Once-ler was destroying. The Lorax tried to warn the Once-ler that he was hurting the environment, but the Once-ler was greedy and did not stop to take care of the land. Now the Once-let wants to tell every one not to make the same mistakes that he did.
Read the book to find out what happens to the poor Lorax and the sad Once-ler.
Here are some links of activities and information related to Dr. Seuss and the environment:
Seussville www.seussville.com
Everything you wanted to know about Dr. Suess.
Children's Environmental Book List
A Guide to Michigan's Endangered Wildlife, Evers, David C., 1992
At Break of Day, Grimes, Nikki Poetic text that celebrates the wonders of the universe, its creatures, and the loving collaborative effort that it brings into existence.
Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, Jeffers, Susan, 1991 Wonderful adaptation to one of the most eloquent speeches on the environment.
Earth Book for Kids: Activities to Help Heal the Environment,
Schwartz, Linda Offers children and their families a wide variety of ways to learn about the environment while having fun. It includes fascinating facts and creative ideas for activities to help kids become better acquainted with their environment and learn to care for the earth.
Five Little Friends, Dyer, Sarah An unforgettable fable featuring five friends who learn the world is best when shared.
Gobble Up Nature!, Johnmann, Carol A. and Elizabeth J. Rieth A fun and unique way for kids to learn about nature and nutrition.
How Green Are You?, Bellamy, D., 1991
In the Woods, Hickman, P., 1998
Likeable Recyclables!, Schwartz, Linda This activity book offers a variety of projects that prevent discarded materials from finding their way into overcrowded landfills by transforming them into toys, games and other objects.
Michigan Trees: A Guide to the Trees of Michigan and the Great Lakes Region,
Barnes, Burton Verne, 1981
Month by Month Gardening in Michigan, Fizzell, Jim, 1999
More Natural Michigan, Powers, Tom, 1992
Projects for a Healthy Planet: Simple Environmental Experiments for Kids,
Levine, Char and Allison Grafton, 1992 Projects designed to help us understand causes of pollution, to protect our resources, and to create environmentally friendly products.
Save the Earth, Miles, B., 1991
The Gift of the Tree, Tresselt, Alvin, 1972 Traces the lifecycle of an oak tree and describes the creatures that depend on it.
The Simple Act of Planting a Tree, Lipkis, Andy & Katie, 1990
The Tree, Lyons, Dana This powerful song of an ancient Douglas Fir celebrates the age-old cycle of life in the Pacific Rain forest, revealing the inter-connectedness of all things.
What's Up, What's Down, Schaefer, Lola M. The concept of up and down is explored through a series of questions that invite young readers on a journey through nature.
When the Wind Stops, Zolotow, Charlotte, 1962 A gentle account of the timelessness and self renewal of life.
Window, Baker, Jeannie, 1991 A wordless picture book that views the changes in a forest from a window.
Wolf Island, Godkin, Celia, 1989 What happens when the highest link in a food chain is removed.
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Theodor Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss, was born in Massachusetts on March 2, 1904. That would make him 99 years old today! Theodor always had a great imagination and liked to draw funny pictures to make people laugh. He went to college at Dartmouth in New Hampshire and then went on to Oxford College in England. There, he met a special lady named Helen Palmer, who later became his wife.
The Lorax is a powerful tale about the importance of taking care of the environment. It is about the sad Once-ler who long ago destroyed a beautiful area of land in order to make lots of money. The Lorax is a creature that lived in the land the Once-ler was destroying. The Lorax tried to warn the Once-ler that he was hurting the environment, but the Once-ler was greedy and did not stop to take care of the land. Now the Once-let wants to tell every one not to make the same mistakes that he did.