Childrens' books
Andrew will lead a discussion on this on Friday 27 November 2020
Some reasons that one might avoid exposing their children to certain books:
Book promotes values contrary to one's own
Book describes characters with values contrary to one's own (without condemning them?)
Book depicts violence or cruelty.
Book contains horror.
Book deals with sex-related issues that the child does not yet understand.
Book contains swearing
Examples:
Little house on the prairie said horrible things about "indians" (native americans).
In the 70s libraries banned Enid Blyton books, considering them insufficiently literary.
Noddy and Big Ears outraged many by sleeping in the same bed
Noddy stories contained golliwogs, who were changed to goblins in later adaptions.
Doctor Doolittle – great kids' stories, but patronising of Africans.
Noddy -- contains mischievous golliwogs, and could be interpreted to imply a hmosexal relationship with Big Ears
Rudyard Kipling's "Kim", Tony Abbott’s favourite novel. Gives an affectionate but patronising view of Indians under the British Raj. Implies superiority of European culture.
Biggles – Biggles was fictionally born in British India. I never read these but I understand they suffer from similar problems to Kipling.
Books with violence in them:
Roald Dahl (Miss Trunchbull)
Lemony Snickett (Count Olaf).
Many of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales.
To what age children would you feel OK about reading to them any of Harry Potter 4-7, that contain instances of torture of Muggles and wholesale murder
Lone Ranger (1933) seems very wholesome from what I've read. Wiki says he only had American (presumably Euro) adversaries - no Native Americans or African Americans. But was having native american Tonto as sidekick patronising?
Cowboy and Indian movies – are these beyond redemption, portraying Indians defending their land against European invaders as bad guys?
List published by CNN, from American Library Association (ALA) of most challenged books
bannedbooksweek.org/american-library-association-names-top-11-challenged-books-of-2018/
"George," by Alex Gino
This children's novel made the list because it features a transgender character, according to the ALA.
"A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo," by Jill Twiss, illustrated by E. G. Keller
The American Library Association reports LGBTQIA+ content, political and religious viewpoints are among the reasons why this book was challenged.
"Captain Underpants" series, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey
This book made the list because it includes a same-sex couple, which those calling for the ban perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior, the ALA said.
"The Hate U Give," by Angie Thomas
Thomas' debut novel, written as a reaction to the police shooting of Oscar Grant, includes drug use, profanity and sexual references, which are reasons it was challenged. It was also deemed "anti-cop," according to the ALA.
"Drama," written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
This graphic novel is on the list because it features LGBTQIA+ characters and themes.
"Thirteen Reasons Why," by Jay Asher
A novel turned Netflix series centers around teen suicide, which is the reason the ALA said it made the list.
"This One Summer," by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki
A coming-of-age story is illustrated in this graphic novel and was banned or challenged because of certain illustrations and because it includes profanity and sexual references.
"Skippyjon Jones" series, written and illustrated by Judy Schachner
A Siamese cat takes center stage in this children's picture book. It made the list due to its depiction of cultural stereotypes, the ALA said.
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," by Sherman Alexie
This novel was challenged or banned due to its inclusion of profanity, sexual references and its religious viewpoint.
"This Day in June," by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten
This picture book illustrates a Pride parade, and its inclusion of LGBTQIA+ content is the reason it was challenged or banned.
"Two Boys Kissing," by David Levithan
If the title isn't obvious, the young adult novel explores gay teens journey to love and acceptance. It was challenged due to its LGBTQIA+ content.
Who complains?
Most challenges in the US come from conservatives concerned about explicit sex or validation of non-Christian attitudes to sex. But a significant minority of challenges come from progressives concerned about racism or sexism in books.
Los Angeles Times: Five controversial anti-racist books
Huckleberry Finn, Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Cay, Roll of Thunder – Hear My Cry
Some kids use racist insults they find in the books. Others find the books a powerful incitement to fight against racism.
The article criticises Mockingbird as being a white saviour story.
Links:
Guardian re unsuitable children's classics
Why all golliwogs are racist I saw one in antique shop near Tamworth
ALA long list of about 100 frequently challenged kids' books - includes Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, Bridge to Terabithia, two Roald Dahls, two Judy Blumes and lots of sex ed books.
Questions:
Are there any types of books you would try to prevent a child from reading?
What about books that you would not discourage, but just not suggest, or you would steer around them?
Has anybody read any books by Judy Blume, and can tell us about them? Wikipedia describes her as the first Young Adult author to write about many aspects of puberty and sexuality. Many American schools banned her books as unsuitable because of their frankness about sexuality, and on the other side some adore her so that one Americansinger-songwriter even wrote a eulogising song about her.
What would you do about classic books that unintentionally exemplify values that clash with those we hold now?
What tolerance do you think children have for violence or horror? Would you let a precocious tween read Dracula, 1984 or A Clockwork Orange? What about Fifty Shades of Grey?