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Family

Earth Day Should Be Every Day: The Lorax Was Ahead of His Time 🌍🌱

I may have missed Earth Day this year, but honestly, shouldn’t every day be Earth Day? We need to make caring for our planet a daily priority, not just reserve it for one day a year. Every day is a chance to reflect on how we can protect the environment, reduce our carbon footprint, and safeguard the ecosystems we depend on.

Dr. Seuss, in his timeless classic The Lorax, was way ahead of his time. Long before the world truly started to focus on environmental concerns, Seuss was telling us to pay attention to our planet and take responsibility. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” These words ring truer now than ever before. Seuss’s charming and heartfelt story reminds us that if we continue to ignore the environment, we’ll only have ourselves to blame.

In a world that’s increasingly feeling the effects of climate change, pollution, and resource depletion, we can’t afford to wait for Earth Day every year to reflect on our actions. The Lorax teaches us that it’s up to each of us to make a difference—every day.

So, while I may have missed Earth Day this year, I’m choosing to act every day as though it’s Earth Day.

Will you join me? 🌎💚

And speaking of The Lorax, have you explored the amazing eco-friendly activities from Twinkl? Dive into a world of Lorax fun and learning with their collection of eco-conscious worksheets and activities, perfect for teaching kids about environmental responsibility.

Why not get started with their beautifully illustrated Lorax Colouring Sheets? Kids can bring the Lorax and the Truffula Forest to life with colour! These iconic illustrations are sure to spark creativity and improve fine motor skills. Or, get crafty by making your very own Truffula Tree—what a fun way to bring Seuss’s world into the home!

Additionally, Twinkl’s Lorax Earth Day Writing Activity prompts kids to reflect on their impact on the environment. Through guided questions, they’ll explore ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. It’s a wonderful way to teach kids the importance of Earth Day while helping them develop important writing and critical thinking skills.

No matter which activity you choose, we’re sure you and your little learners will have fun while caring for the earth! 🌍

Check out Twinkl’s Lorax-themed activities here: Twinkl’s Lorax Resources

Let’s keep the Earth Day spirit alive all year long with these educational and fun activities. 🌱

Here are some ways to help all year round

1. Plant a Tree

Contribute to reforestation by planting a tree in your backyard or a local community space.

2. Nature Walk

Take a walk in a nearby park or nature reserve to appreciate the beauty of the Earth.

3. Clean Up Your Community

Organise or join a local cleanup to remove rubbish from parks, beaches, and your local area.

4. Start a Garden

Plant vegetables, herbs, or flowers to support biodiversity and grow your own eco-friendly food.

5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Commit to cutting waste by reusing items, recycling materials, and being mindful of what you toss.

6. Switch to Reusable Bags

Ditch single-use plastic and opt for sturdy, reusable shopping bags.

7. Compost

Start composting kitchen scraps and yard waste to cut landfill waste and nourish your soil.

8. Go Green with Your Commute

Bike, walk, carpool, or use public transit instead of driving solo.

9. Conserve Water

Take shorter showers, fix leaks, and turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.

10. Create an Eco-Friendly Home

Switch to energy-efficient bulbs and unplug electronics when not in use.

11. Educate Yourself and Others

Read, watch, or listen to resources on sustainability, and share what you learn.

13. Support Local Farmers

Shop farmers’ markets to reduce food miles and support sustainable agriculture.

14. Make Homemade Cleaning Products

Use simple ingredients like vinegar and baking soda to reduce the use of chemicals at home.

15. Unplug for a Day

Take a break from screens and electronics to connect with nature and reduce energy use.

16. Switch to Plant-Based Meals

Go meatless for a day or more to lower your environmental footprint.

17. Encourage Wildlife

Add bird feeders, bee hotels, or native plants to make your yard a habitat.

18. Use Natural Products

Choose products with fewer chemicals and less packaging.

19. Write Letters to Leaders

Advocate for environmental policies by contacting your local representatives.

20. Create Eco-Art

Use recycled materials to create art that spreads environmental awareness.

21. Join a Sustainability Group

Find local organisations working on conservation and get involved.

22. Use Digital Rather Than Paper

Choose digital documents, notes, and billing to cut paper waste.

23. Spend Time in Nature

Hike, picnic, or just relax outdoors to connect with the natural world.

24. Teach Kids About Nature

Explore the outdoors with children and talk about how ecosystems work.

25. Support Eco-Friendly Brands

Buy from companies committed to sustainable and ethical practices.

26. Host a Clothing Swap

Reduce fast fashion waste by exchanging clothes with friends instead of shopping.

27. Create a Nature Journal

Track what you see and experience in nature to deepen your appreciation for the natural world.

28. Advocate for Clean Energy

Research and consider renewable energy options, such as solar, for your home.

29. Limit Single-Use Plastics

Say no to straws, plastic cutlery, and other disposable items when you can.

30. Live Minimalistically

Declutter and donate to reduce waste and live with intention.

31. Use Eco-Friendly Transportation

Try a bike, an electric scooter, or an electric car to lower emissions.

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Categories
News

School Bans Dr Seuss Books

I love Dr. Seuss and his books. In fact, I grew up on them and so have my girls and now my little boy as well.

Ted Geisel, American writer and cartoonist, at work on a drawing of the grinch for "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
Ted Geisel, American writer and cartoonist, at work on a drawing of the grinch for “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

The attraction for me to Dr Seuss’s books is that he has a brilliant imagination, fabulous stories, funny rhymes and stunning artwork to add to his fun captivating stories.

Dr. Seuss I believe was ahead of his time. He wrote books that made reading fun for kids and many like me who have a strong connection to his books learnt to read with many of his most famous titles.

My favourites are: Horton Hears a Who, The Cat in the Hat, Oh the Places You Will Go, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Green Eggs and Ham, Fox in Socks, The Lorax, Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories and Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! (YES I have too many favourites…I did tell you that I really really like Dr Seuss).

via GIPHY


Dr. Seuss or otherwise known as Theodor Seuss Geisel was also a person who believed in looking after our planet, less consumerism and wanted racial equality. Many of his books addressed these topics in a way that kids could understand.

“Geisel’s books express his views on a remarkable variety of social and political issues: The Lorax (1971), about environmentalism and anti-consumerism; The Sneetches (1961), about racial equality; The Butter Battle Book (1984), about the arms race; Yertle the Turtle (1958), about Adolf Hitler and anti-authoritarianism; How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957), criticizing the materialism and consumerism of the Christmas season; and Horton Hears a Who! (1954), about anti-isolationism and internationalism.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Seuss)

I have fond memories of my mum getting stuck in his tongue twisters while reading me his books. I used to laugh so hard and beg my mum to read them again and again. I am now having fun reading them to my little boy as I did with my twin girls.

The Lorax

My childhood was composed of weird and wonderful childrens shows, HR Puff and Stuff, The Muppets and if you ever picked up a childrens book in the 1970’s the artwork is quite psychedelic compared to the books you get now.

I think this was the reason that many of these books and shows were a hit with kids and adults alike. They were fun, bright and colourful, did something different, made you think and used words that were made up and made you laugh in fits of giggles.

Dr. Seuss’s artwork is also amazing to look at, it is very detailed and just out there. He was a very clever man to write such fun and enjoyable books and to also illustrate them.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat in the Hat

So imagine my shock to learn that a school in Loudoun Country in Virginia has decided to ban Dr. Seuss from their annual Read Across America day. Dr Seuss books have been involved in this event for over 20 years, and now on his birthday has been banned.

“Dr. Seuss’s birthday is celebrated on March 2 and it celebrates both the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel and the National Education Association to endorse the importance of reading. A lesser-known fact about Dr. Seuss is that he created the word nerd.” (https://nationaltoday.com/dr-seusss-birthday/)

It is such a pity that the school in Virginia has made this horrible decision to ban such clever and inventive books. Have you ever come across writing like this from other writers, NO, Seuss was one of a kind!

The reason for the ban is that his stories feature “strong racial undertones.”

WHAT????? REALLY??????

I have never thought of Dr. Seuss books as being racist, hurtful or harmful in any way.

For me they let kids embrace the silly, the made-up and think that the impossible can be possible.

Dr. Seuss lets kids learn to pronounce weird and wonderful words and some words are just nonsense, but that doesn’t matter. Having the ability to read hard and funny words helps children figure out more words that are hard and then when they read the easier words it will of course be easy for them.

One claim against Dr. Seuss is that there is a lack of girls and women, and yes this is probably true. I am not sure what the answer here is, maybe Theodor Seuss Geisel created more male characters as they were stories written from the perspective of him as a boy, and therefore had more male characters. I think we need to reflect on the story, what it tells us and makes us feel before we jump on why there are not different races represented and also girls as well as boys.

Remember that these books were written a long time ago. You can clearly see that the years that Seuss wrote just a selection of the below titles:

  • The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, 1938
  • Horton Hears a Who! 1954
  • The Cat in the Hat, 1957
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, 1957
  • Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories, 1958
  • The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, 1958
  • Happy Birthday to You!, 1959
  • One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, 1959
  • Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories, 1958
  • Green Eggs and Ham, 1960
  • The Lorax, 1971

Personally, I never thought that Dr Seuss books were racist or horrible in any way. I always liked them for a giggle, fun and creative made-up worlds, words and characters.

It wouldn’t have crossed his mind that he was not including items and characters that we are now believing should be there. As a woman who is a massive fan of the Seuss books, I am not offended in any way that there might not be more girls showcased in the Dr Seuss books.

In 1975 Dr. Seuss wrote a verse for the New York Times entitled The Economic Situation Clarified: A prognostic re-evaluation. (Taken from https://seussblog.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/oh-the-places-youll-go/)

“As our graph shows. Trends are trending.
This is good. Yet, nevertheless,
the destination of the trendings
is not simple to assess.

As of now, the Uppers are upping
and the Downers are droobling down
excepting on alternate Thursdays
when it works the other way round.

And there occasionally are occasions
when some Upper comes a cropper
and bottoms out at the bottom.
Then…
some Bottomer is the Topper.

Consequently, on the other hand,
I believe this can be said:
you’ll be wise if you step gently
whilst you tread on your neighbor’s head.”

As you can see Dr. Seuss was caring and wanted the best for the economy, the environment and the world around him. What he wrote in this poem in 1975 is also current in 2021.

via GIPHY

DO YOU THINK DR SEUSS BOOKS SHOULD BE BANNED?

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Categories
5 years and beyond

Inspiration from Dr Seuss

I loved Dr Seuss as a kid and love it to this day, as an adult and mother. The wisdom and stories are so witty, clever and funny. He was ahead of his time and I think some of the quotes below are great advice. I was on Pinterest and came across the image below, it is from http://www.upworthy.com/ so I hope it is fine to share.

Do you love Dr Seuss? What quote is inspiring you to dream or to carry on your adventure?

Dr Seuss Quotes from http://www.upworthy.com/
Dr Seuss Quotes from http://www.upworthy.com/