When Dr. Seuss wrote a story, children of all ages paid close attention. Such is the case with "The Lorax" published in 1971. It was a groundbreaking green tale written by the master of clever children's stories. 

The thought-provoking tale is one of the first lessons in the AP Environmental Science class followed by Alviston.com this school year. The green studies students watched the movie and took notes on "truffula trees" and the "glorious place," and of course "The Lorax."

As the story goes, "glorious place" is ravaged by greedy citizens in polluting cars, who do reckless things to natural resources. The carelessness even produces dirty birds that go from white to black with smog. It is a book, movie, and a story that introduces environmental truth to youth as the author saw it in the '60s and '70s.

It is no wonder younger generations are tuned into "green" themes with "The Lorax" on the bookshelf. Dr. Seuss is world-renown for easy-to-understand, yet cleverly complex children's stories. There is talk that another Seuss book, "Green Eggs and Ham," is required reading for some students at leading business universities around the nation.

In 2010, there is an important assignment due on "The Lorax" in AP Environmental Science. That is not just talk; it is a fact.

MC-Haylee