The Lorax Enlists School Children to Get Parents Into Mazda Showrooms

At Polk Elementary on Tuesday, more than 100 kindergartners and fourth- and fifth-graders crowded into the multipurpose room for a rendition of Seuss’s classic environmentalist tale.

The kids listened as the little furry Lorax tried, furiously and fruitlessly, to defend his beloved Truffula Trees and Brown Bar-ba-loots from being destroyed by the Once-ler, that greedy Thneed magnate.

Afterward, a Mazda representative -- Dan Ryan of the government relations office -- stood up.

He unveiled an oversized $1,000 check meant to help beef up the school’s library collection. “We think reading is very important,” Ryan said. The audience cheered.

Ryan then told the kids they could help raise up to a million dollars for other schools’ libraries — and qualify for a sweepstakes entry (trip for four to Universal Studios).

All they had to do was persuade their parents to go to the nearest Mazda dealership for a test-drive.

Ryan told his rapt audience that Mazda’s latest models get great gas mileage -- at 35 miles to the gallon, the CX-5 is the most efficient SUV on American highways, he said.

“That’s the kind of car we think the Lorax would like to drive,” he said.

Shortly thereafter a very lovable-looking Lorax emerged from stage right and the kids -- many of them wearing homemade striped Cat in the Hat hats -- erupted in squeals.

The Lorax waved and doled out hugs. The kids serenaded him with a song.

And then everyone was ushered outside to see two cars up close -- a Mazda 3 sedan and a CX-5 sports utility vehicle, both specially painted with Lorax scenes and both with what Mazda has termed "Truffula Tree-approved SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY."