The Environment
Mercifully the youngest generations are prioritizing the environment. Wonder what motivates them?
A motto of a previous generation now responsible for the misinformation, distraction tactics, divisiveness that have hindered efforts to take dramatic action was “Never trust anyone over 30”. The irony is acid rain corrosive.
Written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss
The reclusive Once-Ler lives in a dilapidated house in a dystopian wasteland. Visited by a young boy, the Once-Ler, capitalist to the end, charges the kid to tell his tale.
The Once-Ler is seen arriving at the verdant land in a covered wagon, manifest destiny style and promptly chops down a Truffula tree. Out of the stump pops the Lorax who introduces himself as the voice of the trees, since they have no tongues. The Lorax is fully in view but the Once-Ler and the only customer we see, remain faceless. Take from that what you will, my read is that we are all responsible.
Things get worse for the trees as the Once-ler’s business grows. The Lorax responds by pointing out what is obvious to everyone, but only he acknowledges it. The Once-ler replies to the first admonishment with a simple dismissal of the minor scope of his actions. In the end, the Once-Ler becomes combative telling the Lorax that it is his right to do as he pleases with the trees. The Lorax, ever vocal in protest but lacking in action, does nothing to stop this.
Finally, the last tree is cut and the Lorax, in a scary foreshadowing of Mars as our alternative planet, picks himself up by the back of his pants and lifts away through the clouds.
The Once-ler’s empire collapses and with the benefit of retrospection, fills with regret as he secludes himself in his rickety, bi-level home, to die, we suppose.
But, typically, he hands of the solution – and the work – off to the kid.
If you are a collector, cool past prints found here on Abe Books
Written by Christina Soontornvat
Illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell
The text in this beautiful book is minimalistic but packs a punch. In appearance, it would seem written for a younger audience of 3-5 but it does not shy away from science, large numbers, dire consequences and concepts of responsibility to be shared by us all.
The art is gouache on post consumable (50%) paper and then scanned for digital brush. The colors leap off the page and will hold any readers attention.