Controversal childrens books

A lot of books are banned or touched up in libraries, I have gone through a list of controversial books and I think the ones I have listed here are worthy of a second glance and are a good read. It’s just unfortunate that some people don’t think so. With kids lives changing and the term family taking on new meanings shouldn’t kids read about them and as it’s increasing something they will be exposed to in their future.

This is a Top 5 list of books you should give a second chance. I think people have wrongly judged these books and the people who have tried to share them with kids have been threatened with their jobs!
 
And Tango Makes Three - Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell: Tango is adopted by two gay penguins.  An article from the School Library Journal states that a “A Southwick, MA, school librarian says she fears losing her job after introducing a class of second graders to And Tango Makes Three —the fictionalized children’s picture book based on two real-life male penguins at New York’s Central Park Zoo. In the book, the penguins share a nest like other penguin couples and together nurture a fertilized egg, then raise the chick.”

The Story of Babar -Jean de Brunhoff: Racist and disparaging to animals.
The books are written in a charming and appealing style with an attention to detail which captivates both children and adults. Underneath they could be seen as a justification for colonialism, with the benefits of French civilization being visited on the rustic African elephant kingdom. Some writers, such as Herbert R. Kohl and Vivian Paley argued that, although the books are superficially delightful, the stories are politically and morally offensive.”

Where the Wild Things Are- Maurice Sendak: Witchcraft and supernatural elements as well as a spirited child. Having a story about a small child throwing a tantrum for the benefit of his mother was not a story you were going to find in children’s literature before the 1960s, because children weren’t supposed to yell at their mothers. The idea that children experience rage and that it’s a natural part of their psyche was a new idea to children’s picture books. This is why some people were afraid of Where the Wild Things Are when it was first published.”

Nappy Hair - Carolivia Herron: Taken as a racist book, a 27 year old teacher transfers schools after reading this book to her class. The book celebrates the differences and unique attributes of black people. Yet, when white teacher Ruth Sherman read this book to her third-graders she was pilloried by black and Hispanic community members who had not read the book.

In the Night Kitchen - Maurice Sendak: A young boy is naked.
In the Night Kitchen proved controversial on its releasewith some librarians and teachers reacting to Mickey’s nudity by removing the book from the shelves or covering the child’s genitalia with pen or tape. The book continues to appear on lists of banned or challenged books, somewhat to the consternation of those who can find nothing disturbing or “sexual” in the nudity of such a young child as Mickey appears to be.”

I found this clip on banned books and controversal books and I feel it sums up my thoughts on the issue. I used a few lists to compose my Top 5, and found many different points of view. I was pretty biased in my research, and next time I think I should find opinions from both sides of the page.

References:

Hooper, Sara. 2007. And Tango made three. Viewed on 2nd November 2011. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6440187.html

Scubagrrll. 2010. 2009 Banned Children's Books Presentation. Viewed on 2nd November 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tinMGVVWI4