Walk away, Goodnight Moon. The newest children’s books are creepy in all the colors of the rainbow and are on library bookshelves near you.
I went to the holds section of my neighborhood Chicago Public Library ( CPL) branch to pick up my most recent book. Book secured, I went to check out, passing by the children’s area on the way. I was drawn to the front show. ” I’M WITH THE BANNED: BANNED BOOKS WEEK” was happily emblazoned on a paper mark in an trendy, stenciled style.
I wondered, would six-year-olds also know what a banned publication is?
Some of my favorite publications, such as To Kill A Mockingbird and A Wrinkle in Time, were previously banned. Today, they’re frequently read and celebrated. I do n’t think I learned what a banned book was until middle school or high school, but I was able to identify works that ranged from the utterly offensive to those that tackled contentious issues and defied contemporary cultural norms.
Interest attracted, I took a closer appearance. Prominently displayed were names like Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, Worm Loves Worm, and Julián is a Mermaid. Second, zero points for variety of matter and viewpoint. I did n’t see Matt Walsh’s Johnny The Walrus featured alongside Julián (ironically, some have called for Walsh’s book to be banned from Chicagoland schools ). Next, I forgot to bring along a book about the unusual matrimonial activities of garden invertebrates for this library trip.
I left the library astonished to learn that kids were being given adult-related issues, maybe before they could actually learn.
The Liberty to Read … What?  ,
Under all the beautiful and adorable covers, there is a contorted theme. Books like those in CPL’s banned books emphasize physical topics, which is strange and improper to get in publications aimed at young users. Additionally, the books present the ideas of sex and gender through a fake glass, which not only make the subjects of their subjects physical.
Harvey Milk, a revered LGBT symbol and a monster of adolescent boys, is the subject of Pride. The history of the same-sex wedding between two worms is portrayed in Word Loves Worm, a book that is suggested for children as young as four. The writer claims move was one of her inspirations, and Julián is a Mermaid is the story of a child whose greatest desire is to become a princess. These names exemplify the extreme viewpoints of female demagogues who masquerade as bedtime stories.
In a letter to the library, I inquired about whether the library may consider having a fall-themed display in the children’s section rather. I also expressed my concerns about the screen and its included titles. I wanted to know what the particular one behind this show was because each exhibit is purposefully curated with an academic goal in mind. The actions I received were unsatisfactory.
From the Children’s Services and Family Engagement section:
CPL strives to create collections that reflect the depth and richness of Chicago’s area. Couple supports the right for all patrons to pick the materials that are most suitable for their children as they follow them on their collection visits. We are a large, diverse group, and we are aware that not every text is appropriate for every user.
And from the family’s library:
We aim to priest collections at CPL that are representative of our different communities, but this exhibition celebrates the right to publish and highlights a wide range of junior materials from our series. Of course, not every publication will be a good fit for every child, but those decisions are ultimately made by the families, not the library.
These responses rapid another question — the freedom to study what, exactly?
Parental Duty and Common Sense
Growing up, I was homeschooled, and my mother possibly had a greater interest in what our children read than the typical parent. However, she also gave us the option to pick our own books when we frequently visited the library. While the books I picked out were n’t always quality literature, I certainly never stumbled across words like “queer”, “drag”, and “gay pride”, or characters that inspired me to question my gender. That was n’t too many years ago.
CPL made an effort to disqualify themselves from any liability for the screen of the prohibited publications. ” It’s the parent’s responsibility to help their children choose ebooks”, I was told. And that’s correct, to a certain extent. However, this does n’t address the question of why the display was created in the first place and why children are even allowed to access these particular titles.
Plus, parents should n’t have to worry that their child will encounter titles such as those in CPL’s banned books display. Busy, employed parents may be held responsible for being blindsided by the ridiculous way children’s books is taking, especially when the recommendations are directly from the children’s section and the books appear innocent enough.
To young kids, the world is pretty simple, and that’s a good thing. We should respect and love everyone, and kids generally get this idea across quickly. These books are not attempting to impart traditional lessons about kindness and tolerance to children. They’re trying to do much more. And you’re not crazy if the subject material of these books, as well as the sheer amount of it on the shelves, does n’t seem right to you.
Pawns in a cultural conflict
In today’s most contentious cultural battles, children are increasingly being exploited. Young and impressionable, their understanding of reality and themselves has yet to be developed. It’s not surprising that more children identify as the opposite sex, or even as genderless, because they make the ideal targets for ideologues with agendas.
Deviant books about sex and gender should be banned from the children’s section. We do n’t have a nebulous “freedom to read”. Instead of confounding our children with a false perception of the world, we should read books that are grounded in what is real, good, and beautiful, books that will help them understand reality in an appropriate way. This is why classic books that were previously outlawed like To Kill a Mockingbird and A Wrinkle in Time are now adored classics. They state the truth about the world, and it has validity. Worm does not love Worm.
The volume of ideological propaganda that is ensnared into libraries and schools can be overwhelming. There is only so much that parents can do to protect their child’s innocence. However, there is plenty for parents to do.
Say something when you notice objectionable material on the children’s shelves. Be as watchful of what your kids are reading as possible. Promote good children’s literature, and maybe even try your hand at writing some if you’re linguistically inclined. Readers with discerning minds who ask questions and think critically. And the timeless classics like Good Night Moon are unbeatable.
Kathryn Pluta, a recent graduate of Benedictine College, resides in Chicago as a copywriter.