Marking the 50th anniversary of the very first Earth Day in 1970, we celebrate one of the most influential ecological fables ever told: Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax,” celebrating its own 50th anniversary in 2021. When author-illustrator Seuss (Theodore Geisel) published his tale of a mysterious creature who “speaks for the trees,” he was primarily known for writing silly nonsense books designed to teach vocabulary and encourage the imagination. With “The Lorax” – rated as one of the top 100 children’s books of all time by the National Education Association – Seuss challenged young readers to think about the ecological consequences of the actions of adults. The 2012 animated feature film takes the original tale into entertaining and thoughtful new directions.

Since it all began with an inspired illustrator, our special guest will be Eisner nominated illustrator Paige Braddock, author of the award-winning “Stinky Cecil” graphic novels, about a frog and his friends combatting various environmental threats in engaging, illuminating, and very funny ways. Braddock, best known for her “Jane’s World” comic strip, is the Chief Creative Officer at Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates. She has illustrated several Peanuts children’s books, and is publishing a new line of graphic novels for children beginning with this September’s “Puppy Problems.” The 2001 Snoopy U.S. postage stamp was designed by Braddock.