Environmental issues don't usually rate very highly on a child's list of fun, interesting subjects, which makes for a rather difficult challenge for authors when it comes to presenting this topic in a way that will engage and hold a child's attention. Of those who have tried, the resulting stories have had varying success. Two children's books relating to the protection and care of trees stand out in my mind for their strong morals expressed in captivating storylines that children can relate to.
"THE LORAX", by Dr. Seuss is a clever, amusing story with all the unique and bizarre imagery that this popular children's author is famous for.
The tale begins with a young boy who sets out to learn about how and why the legendary Lorax disappeared. On his travels he encounters a dark and desolate place, and the troubled whisper of the elusive Once-ler who lives there. Through an odd contraption called a whisper-ma-phone, the Once-ler relays a sad story of the beautiful forest that once existed on the now dry, parched soil. He speaks of the woolly, colourful Truffula trees that grew in abundance and supplied the local wildlife with wonderful sweet fruit. With much regret, he tells how he chopped down one of those trees and used its fluffy top to knit a "thneed", a strange looking garment which he described as "a fine something that all people need".
The Lorax, who appeared from inside the felled tree, and claimed to speak for all the Truffula trees, was awfully concerned by the Once-ler's actions. He warned the Once-ler to leave the trees alone or suffer the consequences, but when someone bought his beautiful thneed, the Once-ler became greedy and started a thneed making business, inviting all his family to join him in his venture. The Lorax continually pleaded with the Once-ler to stop destroying the forest but soon the last of the Truffula trees was gone. The Lorax picked himself up by the seat of his pants and vanished into the smog that had gathered over the barren wasteland that remained.
The young boy is devastated to hear of such a miserable story, but the Once-ler then hands him the last of his Truffula tree seeds, and begs him to plant it so that the forest can regenerate and the Lorax and all the wildlife can return.
With "The Lorax", Dr. Seuss has woven a powerful environmental message into an entertaining and original story that fascinates its readers all the way to the last page.
"FERNGULLY" by Diana Young is an enchanting fairy story that skillfully combines modern youthful themes with the imminent destruction of a lush and majestic rain forest.
Ferngully is home to Crysta, a mischievous young fairy, and her eccentric but endearing bunch of friends and relatives. Rather than learning from the great fairy elder, Magi, how to properly harness her powers, Crysta prefers to be out exploring with her friends. Despite warnings from Magi not to fly up to the forest canopy, Crysta's curiosity and defiant nature lead her right to the highest point where she discovers a strange new world and an even stranger group of creatures-humans.
The humans are marking certain trees in the forest with huge red crosses, and are followed by a monstrous smoke blowing machine that promptly demolishes the marked trees. Crysta becomes fascinated with one of the young men, and when a falling tree threatens to crush him, she fumbles with a spell to rescue him, which accidentally shrinks him down to her size. Crysta and the now tiny Zac become friends, and Zac learns of the beauty and tranquility of Crysta's home. Meanwhile the rest of Zac's crew continue to level the edge of the forest, and in doing so they release the evil spirit Hexxus, who had been trapped inside a giant old tree by Magi, many years earlier.
Hexxus takes over the monstrous leveling machine, aiming it towards Magi's home with the intention of completely destroying the whole rainforest. Crysta eventually begins to understand the valuable lessons that Magi had been trying to teach her, and learns how to use her powers to rid Ferngully of Hexxus once and for all.
The story of Ferngully captures the essence of a beautiful and fragile environment and portrays it through the eyes of young, lively characters that children can easily relate to.
These two very different stories effectively achieve their authors' goals by showing young readers that trees play a vital role in sustaining the creatures who live amongst them, and the disastrous effects caused by their senseless removal. Learning these important lessons via colourfully depicted characters and engaging storylines helps to shape a healthy respect for the environment into adulthood.