Park School Students: Will the Lorax Speak for the Trees?

After seeing the trailer for Universal Pictures' upcoming "The Lorax" based on the Dr. Seuss book of the same name, some kids are questioning the message--in the form of a petition to the filmmaker.

Dr. Seuss' version of the character said that he "speaks for the trees," and his story is recounted by the "Once-ler," an enigmatic figure in the book who recounts his story of the Lorax' attempts to save a forest which the Once-ler's expanding business had cut down. 

Universal's film is a computer-animated picture from Illumination Entertainment--the same studio that made Despicable Me--and features the vocal talents of Danny DeVito as the Lorax, Zac Efron as the idealistic protagonist Ted, and Ed Helms as the Once-ler. As well as Taylor Swift as Audrey, the girl of Ted's dreams, and Rob Riggle as O'Hare, a financial king in Ted's town. Betty White makes an appearance as Ted's Grammy Norma. 

Click the video to the right to watch the trailer.

However, the Park School kids say that the planet-saving message of the book does not appear to be in the trailer released by Universal Pictures, or on the film's website. 

Because of that, they have started a petition on Change.org, a website where users can write petitions and gain support from other users on the internet. Teacher Ted Wells explained that the "Lorax Petition Project" urges Universal Pictures to promote more of the environmental message in their marketing of the film, rather than focusing on the love story and epic adventure. According to a press release from Change.org, the petition has gained 50,000 signatures so far. 

In the press release, Georgia, a student says “The website is more about making money than helping the planet, and that’s exactly what the book says not to do.” 

This is not the first time Park School's name has been tied to green activism. The Brookline private school also made news last year when to the Selectmen last May.

To read more about the petition, visit the Change.org "Lorax Petition Project" webpage.

The full press release via Change.org is below:

Massachusetts students launch online campaign asking Universal to add environmental message back into promotions for movie version of the Dr. Seuss classic

BROOKLINE, MA – A class of fourth graders, worried that Universal Pictures is missing an educational opportunity with its upcoming Lorax movie, has launched the “Lorax Petition Project,” a campaign on Change.org that has gained 50,000 signatures.

Their petition, entitled “Universal Pictures: Let the Lorax Speak for the Trees,” asks the studio to improve promotions for The Lorax to include the environmental message of Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s book. According to the students, the film’s trailer, website, and other promotions hardly touch on the environmental theme.  

“Each year my students are inspired to do more for the planet after reading the book,” said Ted Wells, who teaches at The Park School in Brookline, Massachusetts. “They saw the Lorax trailer, and to them, the movie looked more like an adventure and romance, like it had totally lost its message about helping the planet.”

In December, the students drafted the petition as a class project and proposed specific ways Universal Pictures could include environmental messages in Lorax’s promotional materials, such as adding a Truffula Tree overflowing with “going green” tips along with a discussion forum to the movie website. In less than a month, tens of thousands of people have signed the campaign, and the class has received supportive messages from all over the world, including a music video offer.

“It’s impressive to watch this classroom recognize a concern and mobilize to do something about it,” said Corinne Ball, Director of Organizing at Change.org. “Momentum like this is sure to catch Universal’s attention before the Lorax hits theaters in March.” 

Live signature totals from the class campaign on Change.org:
http://www.change.org/petitions/z-let-the-lorax-speak-for-the-trees

Comments from Mr. Wells’ fourth grade students:

• “The website is more about making money than helping the planet, and that’s exactly what the book says not to do.” – Georgia
• “There’s zero about the environment in the trailer!” – Vikrum
• “We want to help trees, so why don’t you help us, too.” - Lanie
• “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothings is going to get better. It’s not.” - Jeffery quoting the Once-ler

Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change–growing by more than 500,000 new members a month, and empowering millions of people to start, join, and win campaigns for social change in their community, city and country.