As we close this year’s Banned Books Week, it’s never too late to affirm our commitment to reading and Americans’ right to self determination though freedom of thought and expression.

In keeping with this, I did a Banned Book storytime yesterday for preschoolers and parents. Though they have significantly fewer words, picture books have for years been challenged and/or removed from public schools and libraries. Even here, in Iowa City, there have been complaints about dangerous messages that picture books might convey to young people. Here are the stories behind such censorship attempts:

Little Black Sambo: Helen Bannerman wrote this well known tale over a century ago. Originally set in India, the story was not racist as written. It became so over the years due to changes made by publishers and illustrators that were often stereotypical and/or derogatory. From 1956 through the 1970′s, schools and libraries were actually encouraged to remove this story for reasons like “it symbolizes the kind of dangerous and obsolete books that must go” (and this from librarians!)  Luckily, since the 1990′s, there have been several new versions that have removed objectionable reinterpretations from the past. Be sure to look at The Story of Little Babaji to see how well these have worked.

In the Night Kitchen: Maurice Sendak’s 1970 story has had numerous objections due to illustrations that include the main character Mickey shown a natural (i.e. sans his night clothes.) Various challenges were made from the 1970′s to the 90′s – including at the Springfield (MO) Public Library where staff were required to draw shorts on Mickey. A more recent complaint stated that “reading this book could lay a foundation for future use of pornography.” The animated version of this story includes the same images and is narrated by Peter Schickele (otherwise known for writing comic classical music as “PDQ Bach.”)

And Tango Makes Three: Justin Richardson’s 2005 picture book about a male penguin couple raising a chick at the New York City’s Central Park Zoo is one of the most challenged recently. Many of these challenges are made to collections in school libraries. Those objecting claim that there are “homosexual undertones in the story,” the work is part of a “homosexual agenda to corrupt children,” and one even disputed the validity of the verified story itself.

The Stupids Step Out (& other from the series): Harry Allard’s sly stories about the Stupid family are funny to most readers but have occasionally pushed the buttons of adults who object to being made fun of. Another title was challenged in the Iowa City Community School District in the 1990′s because “the books included negative behavior and could cause low self esteem in children.” While in Horsham (PA), the book was challenged, removed, and then returned again to library shelves though those objecting claimed the books “made parents look like boobs and undermined authority.”

The Three Little Pigs: James Marshall’s 1989 retelling of this favorite fairy tale was both droll and true to the original story (which is longer and scarier than later versions.) Because of this, the work has been challenged due to  the wolf’s violence. But not only that – one complaint claimed that the book should be removed “on the grounds that pigs as food might offend the Muslim community.”

Here are some other challenged picture books – take a look and see what you think. For surely that’s our privilege, and our right, as citizens of these United States of America.

Who Is the Beast (Keith Baker) – for “offending a family’s religious beliefs.”

Father Christmas (Raymond Briggs) – because “Santa’s grumpy, has a negative image, and is seen drinking alcohol.”

Draw Me a Star (Eric Carle) – due to “a stylized naked man and woman shown as Adam & Eve.”

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (William Steig) – due to “a national campaign to remove the book in ten states because it contained a dangerous slur to policemen who were shown as pigs.”

The Elephant’s Child (Rudyard Kipling) – because “the elephant’s child’s spanking is 99% violent.”

The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein) – a classic that was  locked away from the public by the Boulder (CO) children’s librarian who felt the book was sexist.

The Lorax (Dr. Seuss) – due to the book’s “criminalizing of the forestry industry.”

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Bill Martin) – due to the Texas Board of Education’s removing it for school use throughout the state in 2010. Why? Because they thought the author was the same Bill Martin who wrote a book called Ethical Marxism: the Categorical Imperative of Liberation. It turns out that they were different people – but the Board of Education didn’t care!

Summer feels past as children return to school after a long break of sunny days and many adventures. It’s certainly quieter in our Children’s Room. As I wait for the new pace of the school year to sink in, it’s a good time to find out what our local children’s authors have been up to. And new titles they have coming out. Here goes:

Dori Hillestad Butler - Last spring Dori was the winner of the 2011 Edgar Award for the Best Juvenile Mystery given by the Mystery Writers of America. Congratulations, Dori! Her award-winning book was The Buddy Files: the Case of the Lost Boy. It was also a nominee for the 2011-2012 Iowa Goldfinch Award. The Buddy Files children’s chapter book series is about a golden retriever dog, adopted from the P-O-U-N-D by a nice family, who solves problems and mysteries. There are five titles in the series and a sixth, The Case of the School Ghost, comes out in 2012.

Michelle Edwards – Michelle’s most recent book is about knitting and for adults. A Knitter’s Home Companion: a Heartwarming Collection of Stories, Patterns, and Recipes came out last March. Here’s what Vanna White has to say about it: “Michelle Edwards’ writing remind me of a simpler time when I grew up in a small town where family was the center of everything. When I read her stories, I think about the legacy I am leaving to my daughter by teaching her the craft that I love so much and what a treasure a handmade gift really is. Beyond the delightful and heartwarming stories, the patterns, and the recipes is a wonderful message about what is really most important in life.” Michelle’s most recent children’s book is The Hanukkah Trike (2010.)

Wendy Henrichs – Wendy’s 2011 picture book I Am Tama, Lucky Cat: a Japanese Legend is a retelling of a famous Japanese tale about how the “beckoning cat” statue seen in so many businesses and homes came about. Luckily kids and parents can hear her talk about this book and her newest (When Anju Loved Being an Elephant) at the 9/10/11 family storytime at the Library!

Claudia McGehee – Where Do Birds Live? is Claudia’s third picture book and was published by the University of Iowa Press in 2010. Beautifully detailed with exquisite black scratch board illustrations, she introduces children to fourteen different American birds and environmental habitats. She also illustrated a gift board book for new baby baptisms which is written by Anne Ylvsaker and called Washed and Welcome: Welcome, Child of God (2011.)

Sarah Prineas – After her amazing popular Magic Thief fantasy series debuted in 2008 , Sarah had thought her trilogy would end when the third book (The Magic Thief Found) was published in 2010. Her newest fantasy adventure novel, Winterling, will be published next January and features a girl named Fer as the main character. Prolific Sarah has also written a sequel, The Summerkin, to come out in 2013. But her website says that she found that she still had more to say about Conn, Nevery, and baby dragon Pip. Luckily for fans,  she has just finished a Magic Thief 4 novel. But they may have to wait until 2014 to read it.

Delia Ray – Delia’s newest children’s novel, Here Lies Linc, just came out. The library has three copies of it, all needed because it’s such a good story AND actually set in Iowa City’s own Oakland Cemetery where the Black Angel stands. When 12-year-old Linc Crenshaw decides he wants to go to public school, his professor mom isn’t so happy with the idea. He’s convinced it will be the ticket to a new social life. Instead, it’s a disaster when his mom shows up at their field trip to the local cemetery to lecture them on gravestones, and Linc sees her through his fellow-students’ eyes. He’s convinced his chances at a social life are over until a cemetery-related project makes him sought-after by fellow students he’s not so sure he wants as friends, helps him make a new, genuine friend, and brings to light some information about his family that upends his world. 

Tess Weaver – Weaver’s last picture book Encore, Opera Cat came out in 2009 and those at the Iowa City Book Festival got to see she and opera singer John Muriello perform Opera Cat last month. Her website says that she is currently finishing a middle grade novel about a girl who travels the high seas in order to unlock the mystery of her true identity. Plus she’s putting the last touches on two new picture books.

Marvin Bell – Last but not least, Iowa’s first Poet Laureate has a new picture book out which is illustrated by the Caldecott Award wining artist Chris Raschka. A Primer About the Flag comes from his wry, whimsical poem about exactly what waving a flag CAN (and CAN’T) do. It’s a perfect thought to share with kids during crazy political times!

Not long ago, I found an ABC news report about a hot trend in family entertainment. Apparently hit picture books are increasingly finding new financial prospects when transformed into musical theater. This is especially true in cities like New York where, of course, the bright lights of Broadway and “THE THEATRE” rule.

Some picture book musicals are based more on their children’s book characters than the actual story (which usually didn’t come with songs when first published.) This is regarded in the field as “brand recognition.” Plus it’s a guarantee of good ticket sales from specific demographic groups. Others remain quite true to the original tale.

Taking place in big cities like Seattle or Minneapolis, these productions are designed as kid-friendly entertainment (i.e. an hour in length) with strong production values. Appealing equally to parents and their children, one of their goals is to introduce younger generations to theater in hope that their interest continues later in life. Another is to entice families back to vibrant arts & culture centers downtown. Last but not least, there’s definitely money to be made – especially when it comes to popular kids’ characters like the Berenstain Bears or Angelina Ballerina!

One thing that’s nice about this trend is that some of these musicals may someday go on tour and travel to Iowa. And may even appear in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, or the Quad Cities. If they do, grab your wallet and kids to snatch up tickets. And don’t forget those wings and pink tutus!

Here are some of the picture books coming out as musicals. Read them first and then enjoy the show!

Knuffle Bunny: a Cautionary Tale – Mo Willems (2004)

Pinkalicious – Victoria Kann (2006)

The Gruffalo – Julia Donaldson (1999)

Angelina Ballerina – Katherine Holabird (1983)

The Terrible Plop – Urula Dubosarsky (2009)

Freckleface Strawberry – Julianne Moore (2007)

Harold and the Purple Crayon – Crockett Johnson (1955)

For those of you who loved 2007′s amazing graphic novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret- you’re in luck! For Brian Selznick is revisiting his debut picture storytelling format in a new book called Wonderstruck, to be released September 13th. In it, Selznick tells two different stories set fifty years apart, where his characters live in New York City, weaving back and forth from 1927 and 1977 until their story lines finally merge at the end.

Selznick’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret won the 2008 Caldecott Award for the best illustrated children’s book published in America, even though it wasn’t a traditional picture book and had 533 pages. So it will be interesting to see what the critical and popular response will be to his new book.

To find out more about Wonderstruck, take a look at this website and click on the video interview with Brian Selznick himself:

http://www.wonderstruckthebook.com/?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly%27s+Children%27s+Bookshelf&utm_campaign=9344b4f4ce-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email#