Children's Books discussion
Banned Books: discussions, lists
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Lists of Banned Picture Books
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New YorkPenfield (Rochester) School District
Challenged - Allowed to Stay
The Rainbow Parade
The Suffern Central School District
Parents objected to elementary school reading of
Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice
Ravena Public Library
Challenged
All About Penises: A Learning About Bodies Book
ConnecticutDarien Public Schools
BANNED 4th grade curriculum
(Allowed in school libraries)
Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation
VermontMiddlebury (Addison County)
Mary Hogan Elementary School
Challenged (by 2 parents)
They She He Me: Free to Be!
Bodies Are Cool
It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity
Julián Is a Mermaid
Sparkle Boy
Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship
Fred Gets Dressed
The 23 Most Banned Picture Books of the 2023-2024 School Yearhttps://pen.org/banned-picture-book-l...
1. And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell, Justin Richardson, and Henry Cole, 7 bans
2 (tie). The Family Book, by Todd Parr, 5 bans
2 (tie). Julián Is a Mermaid, by Jessica Love, 5 bans
4 (tie). When Aidan Became a Brother, by Kyle Lukoff and Kaylani Juanita, 4 bans
4 (tie). Draw Me a Star, by Eric Carle, 4 bans
This 1998 title from the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar features a young artist bringing the world to life around him. It also features an image of an Adam and Eve-like couple without clothes.
5 (tie). This Day in June, by Gayle E. Pitman and Kristyna Litten, 3 bans
5 (tie). Prince and Knight, by Daniel Haack and Stevie Lewis, 3 bans
5 (tie). Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, by Christine Baldacchino and Isabelle Malenfant, 3 bans
5 (tie). Milo Imagines the World, by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson, 3 bans
5 (tie). In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak, 3 bans
5 (tie). Baseball Saved Us, by Ken Mochizuku and Dom Lee, 3 bans
5 (tie). A Is for Activist, by Innosanto Nagara, 3 bans
12 (tie). Unicorns Are the Worst! by Alex Willan, 2 bans
This glittery picture book, told from the point of view of an envious goblin, features an image of the goblin’s butt, which a local Moms for Liberty leader called “p---graphic.”
12 (tie). Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, 2 bans
Book banners zeroed in on a pin on her grandfather’s hat that appears to resemble a Pride symbol.
12 (tie). Pink Is for Boys, by Robb Pearlman and Eda Kaban, 2 bans
A message that pink is for everyone emphasizes a message that life is not color-coded, encouraging children to love racing or unicorns, no matter their gender.
12 (tie). Our Subway Baby, by Peter Mercurio and Leo Espinosa, 2 bans
12 (tie). Ogilvy, by Deborah Underwood and T.L. McBeth, 2 bans
In Ogilvy’s town, bunnies in dresses play ball and knit, while bunnies in sweaters make art and climb. Ogilvy wants to do it all, and won’t let clothes get in the way.
12 (tie). No, David! by David Shannon, 2 bans
This Caldecott Honor book features a boy serving up mischief — including running through the street with no clothes on. Kids love it; book banners don’t.
12 (tie). It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity, by Theresa Thorn and Noah Grigni, 2 bans
A child-appropriate exploration of gender identity posits simply that some people are boys, some are girls, and some are both, neither, or in between.
12 (tie). I Am Billie Jean King, by Brad Meltzer and Chrisopher Eliopoulos, 2 bans
12 (tie). Harriet Gets Carried Away, by Jessie Sima, 2 bans
Harriet enjoys playing dress-up and gets swept away by a colony of penguins. The apparently controversial part: She has two dads.
12 (tie). Different Can Be Great: All Kinds of Families, by Lisa Bullard and Renée Kurilla, 2 bans
When Makayla’s family is about to change, she goes on a quest to find out about different kinds of families.
12 (tie). Bathe the Cat, by Alice B. McGinty and David Roberts, 2 bans
two dads
Mod
https://pen.org/banned-picture-book-l......"
You know, I also do not like No, David!, mostly because I find the pictures garish and not to my tastes, but unlike book banning MORONS (Nazis/Stalinists), I would NEVER want the book banned.
Official government sponsored book bansThe Department of Defense Schools (160 around the globe)
BANNED
Gender, "Critical Race Theory," "DEI" (diversity months like Black History Month, Women's History Month, AAPI Month, Indigenous History Month, etc.)
Buzzwords include “disability,” “women,” “female,” “minority,” “historically,” “underrepresented,” or “socioeconomic.”
including women in STEM, Black history, women's history, anything with a whiff of racism, sexism, antisemitism and anything that goes against their White, Christian, Nationalist agenda.
A is for Activist
All Bodies are Wonderful: Use Science to Celebrate Everyone's Body!
10,000 Dresses
#Blacklivesmatter: Protesting Racism: Protesting Racism by Rachael L. Thomas
#Pride: Championing LGBTQ Rights: Championing LGBTQ Rights by Rebecca Felix
A Child's Introduction to Pride: The Inspirational History and Culture of the LGBTQIA+ Community
All You Need Is Love: Celebrating Families of All Shapes and Sizes
Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl?
Atrocities in Action
Auntie Uncle: Drag Queen Hero
Be Your True Self
Calvin
Door by Door: How Sarah McBride Became America's First Openly Transgender Senator
Equality & Diversity
Equality, Social Justice, and Our Future
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea
A House for Everyone: A Story to Help Children Learn about Gender Identity and Gender Expression
I Am Jazz
I Am an Antiracist Superhero: With Activities to Help You Be One Too!
If You’re a Kid Like Gavin: The True Story of a Young Trans Activist
No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg a biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Kathleen Krull
Jack
Jacob's New Dress
Jacob's Room to Choose
Julián Is a Mermaid
Julián at the Wedding
Laverne Cox
Lgbt Discrimination
LGBTQ Human Rights Movement
LGBTQ+ Rights
Marley's Pride
Molly's Tuxedo
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
My Dad Thinks I'm a Boy?!
My Maddy
My Own Way: Celebrating Gender Freedom for Kids
My Princess Boy
My Rainbow
My Shadow is Pink
My Sister, Daisy
Not He or She, I'm Me
Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness
Payden's Pronoun Party
Peanut Goes for the Gold
Phoenix Goes to School: A Story to Support Transgender and Gender Diverse Children
Phoenix Gets Greater
Pink, Blue, and You!: Questions for Kids about Gender Stereotypes
RuPaul (Volume 61)
Sex Is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU
She's My Dad!: A Story for Children Who Have a Transgender Parent or Relative
Sparkle Boy
Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!
The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families
The Antiracist Kid: A Book About Identity, Justice, and Activism
'Twas the Night Before Pride
Were I Not a Girl: The Inspiring and True Story of Dr. James Barry
What Are Your Words?: A Book About Pronouns
What Does It Mean to Defund the Police?
What Is Anti-Racism?
What Is White Privilege?
What Riley Wore
What's Your Name?
What's Gender Identity?
When Aidan Became A Brother
Who Are You?: The Kid's Guide to Gender Identity
What Is the Black Lives Matter Movement?
Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story about Racial Injustice
If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It
Soft CensoredSomething Great by Jeanette Bradley (they/them pronouns)
Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by Anika Aldamuy Denise
MinnesotaStillwater Schools
restricted access for elementary students, parents’ permission only.
Call Me Max
Grandad's Pride
FloridaPossibly to be banned or not reordered once they wear out
"Don't Say Gulf of Mexico"
Here Comes the Garbage Barge!
Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle
Mod
Possibly to be banned or not reordered once they wear out
"Don't Say Gulf of Mexico"
Here Comes the Garbage Barge!
[book:Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvi..."
Honestly, for the Gulf of Mexico issue, teachers need to actively rebel and also get the media involved to shame morons who would ban books simply because the Gulf of Mexico is mentioned.
I am not planning to visit the USA and in particular not Florida, but if I were, I would never ever call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America (and I would also wear T-shirts that had Gulf of Mexico displayed in large and bright letters).
FloridaHighland County Schools
Tango
Lake County Schools
Marlon Bundo
In Our Mothers' House
Manatee County
Removed from all K-12 libraries (Listed reason: Not grade appropriate for content in elementary and grade level expectations in high school.)
I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel
When Aiden Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff
What on Earth is a Pangolin by Edward Ricciuti
Insect by Laurence Mound
Removed from K-3 libraries
The Family Book by Todd Parr
Mothers Are a Part of a Family by Lucia Raatma
In Our Mother’s House by Patricia Polacco
Fathers are a Part of a Family by Lucia Raatma
Families, Families, Families by Suzanne and Max Lang
Removal denied, accessible for K-12
Christian the Hugging Lion by Justin Richardson
Volusia County Schools
When Aidan Became A Brother
Volusia County Public Libraries
Removed
An ABC of Equality (Volume 1)
The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish
Bob Graham Education Center in Miami
Challenged but not removed
Cuba
Challenged and moved to middle school section
The ABCs of Black History
"The Hill We Climb" by Amanda Gorman included in a book
Santa Rosa County Schools
Challenged by Moms for Liberty
https://ssrnews.com/moms-for-liberty-...
What Riley Wore
Slavery Wasn't Only in the South: Exposing Myths About the Civil War
Questions and Feelings About Racism
Protesting Police Violence in Modern America
Let's Talk About Race
Racial Discrimination
#blacklivesmatter: Protesting Racism
Be Amazing: A History of Pride
Antiracist Baby
Julián Is a Mermaid
When Aidan Became A Brother
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Daddy's Roommate
Collier County
Banned from Libraries and Classrooms
Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice
The 5 O'Clock Band
Florida School for the Deaf & the Blind
Banned in Libraries and Classrooms
Draw Me a Star
It's Okay to Be Different
The Family Book
All Are Welcome
Marion County Schools
Banned from Libraries and Classrooms
Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness
I Am Jazz
Banned Pending Investigation
Not Quite Narwhal
Okaloosa County Schools
Banned Pending Investigation
The Family Book by Todd Parr
Alachua County Public Schools
Challenged
A is for Activist
My Maddy
Grandad's Pride
Challenged Allowed to Remain in ES
I[book:Ho'onani: Hula Warriort Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity|40864913]
Pinellas County
Banned by "patriots"
Ambitious Girl
Milo Imagines the World
Pinellas County
Curtis Fundamental Elementary
Challenged
The Artivist
Pasco County, PUBLIC Libraries
Moved to Adult Parenting
Tango
Antiracist Baby
Christian, the Hugging Lion
Families, Families, Families! by Lang, Suzanne (2015) Hardcover
I Am Jazz
In Our Mother's House
Julian is a Mermaid
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo
The Family Book
When Aidan Became A Brother
New YorkIn 2023 a Roosevelt Island couple removed from the library (and wouldn't return) several children's books on display during “Read Palestine Week" to protect children from indoctrination”.
These Olive Trees
We Are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition
Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine
What the Kite Saw
Mod
In 2023 a Roosevelt Island couple removed from the library (and wouldn't return) several children's books on display during “Read Palestine Week" to protect children from indoctrination”. ..."
The library in question should have outed and very publicly and viscously shamed that couple and anyone helping or supporting them (naming names and the like as well as calling them raging Nazis).
ArizonaMaricopa Public Library
Moved to the Adult Section
Before I Was Born correct book?
Growing Up: An Inclusive Guide to Puberty and Your Changing Body
Making A Baby: An Inclusive Guide to How Every Family Begins
It's Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends
Tell Me about Sex, Grandma by Anastasia Higginbotham
What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg
What's in There?: All About Before You Were Born by Robie H. Harris
Where Do Babies Come From?: Our First Talk About Birth by Jillian Roberts
Where Do Babies Come From? [poss. the same book?]
Children's Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Dolls and Trucks Are for Everyone (other topics)Yes! No!: A First Conversation About Consent (other topics)
When Aidan Became A Brother (other topics)
Aphrodite: Goddess of Love and Beauty (other topics)
Max on the Farm (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Leanne Currie-McGhee (other topics)Amanda Gorman (other topics)
Katy Wischow (other topics)
https://medium.com/@eafinhill/hey-ame...