<P> In a retrospective critique written in the journal Nature in 2011 upon the 40th anniversary of the book's publication, Emma Marris described the Lorax character as a "parody of a misanthropic ecologist". She called the book "gloomy" and expressed skepticism that its message would resonate with small children in the manner intended . Nevertheless, she praised the book as effective in conveying the consequences of ecological destruction in a way that young children will understand . </P> <P> In 1988, a small school district in California kept the book on a reading list for second graders, though some in the town claimed the book was unfair to the logging industry . </P> <P> Terri Birkett, a member of a family - owned hardwood flooring factory, authored The Truax, offering a logging - friendly perspective to an anthropomorphic tree known as the Guardbark . This book was published by the National Oak Flooring Manufacturers' Association (NOFMA). Just as in The Lorax, the book consists of a disagreement between two people . The logging industry representative states that they have efficiency and re-seeding efforts . The Guardbark, a personification of the environmentalist movement much as the Once - ler is for big business, refuses to listen and lashes out . But in the end, he is convinced by the logger's arguments . However, this story was criticized for what were viewed as skewed arguments and clear self - interest, particularly a "casual attitude toward endangered species" that answered the Guardbark's concern for them . In addition, the book's approach as a more blatant argument, rather than one worked into a storyline, was also noted . </P> <P> The line "I hear things are just as bad up in Lake Erie" was removed more than fourteen years after the story was published, after two research associates from the Ohio Sea Grant Program wrote to Seuss about the clean - up of Lake Erie . The line remains in the home video releases of the television special and in the audiobook read by Rik Mayall . </P>

Who is the lorax and what is his job