I remember being read the “Lorax” when I was in elementary school. It is a good book to teach children about the importance of conservation and the environment. The story tells about the destruction caused from people’s greed to exploit the environment for profits. The book shows the importance of a forest and all the creatures that are supported by the forest ecosystem. I think it is an excellent way for children to relate to the environment and understand the importance of a healthy ecosystem.

Having literally memorized every word from 'The Lorax', I can attest to its unparalleled potential in educating young children about the natural world. In an engaging and complicated style, it communicates essential themes in environmentalism: systemic rupture, interrelationships between animals and plants, the environmental cost of consumerism/capitalist enterprise, the development of an environmental identity, and so on. It additionally brings up a major theme in the environmental philosophy movement -- being a custodian for trees and being able to speak for the interests of trees based on rational inference (how the Lorax 'speaks for the trees').

Other excellent children's literatures dealing with the natural world are 'Uno's Garden' by Graeme Base, and 'The Wump World' by Bill Peet (though these two end on less-optimistic notes than The Lorax does).

The Lorax is an excellent book that can help young children learn about environmental problems in a way that is not politically weighted. There is also a great short movie that is entertaining and can be shown in the duration of one class. Below is a link to the entire movie. Also, check your local library for DVD or VHS copies.