Just in time for Earth Day, Oceanhouse Media has two new app offerings for the iPhone and iPod Touch. “The Lorax“, Dr. Seuss’s classic story, and “The Lorax Garden“, a game based off The Lorax are available for purchase via iTunes.

We have purchased several of the Oceanhouse Media versions of Dr Seuss’s stories for my iPhone, and I was thrilled to receive their latest apps to review.

A big hit in our home is “The Lorax” – the story apps have options to “Read to Me” (which allows your child to hear the professional narration and then swipe the screen from right to left to “turn the page”), “Read it to Myself” (same great graphics, without the narration – and again the right to left swiping to turn the page), or Auto Play (with the narration, but the swiping isn’t necessary as it automatically progresses through the story).

The original story of The Lorax centers around a narrator who clear cuts some magestic trees in order to produce a mass-market Thneed. The Lorax issues warnings, speaking on behalf of the trees but the narrator doesn’t listen.  It is a tale to be kind to Mother Nature and our resources, and not just for Earth Day but for every day. My children have enjoyed reading this story on my phone (OVER AND OVER).

The Lorax Garden gives kids the opportunity to replant trees in the game-setting. They are able to water and plant seeds and trees. While I was unable to figure this out, my seven year old instantly mastered it. Isn’t that always the way?

These are definitely great gems to add to my kid-related page of apps for my phone. I love being able to start a story for my daughters to listen to on long drives – and the story of the Lorax may be one of my favorite Seuss tales, yet.