Move aside, Goodnight Moon. The newest children’s classics are hitting library shelves near you … and they’re kinky in all the colors of the rainbow.
I walked into my local Chicago Public Library (CPL) branch, heading over to the holds section to pick up my newest read. Book secured, I went to check out, passing by the children’s section on the way. The front display caught my eye. “I’M WITH THE BANNED: BANNED BOOKS WEEK” was proudly emblazoned on a cardboard sign in an edgy, stenciled font.
I wondered, do six-year-olds even know what a banned book is?
Some of my favorite books, such as To Kill A Mockingbird and A Wrinkle in Time, were once banned. Now, they’re widely read and celebrated. I don’t believe I learned what a banned book was until middle or high school, but I generally understood this category of books to refer to works that ranged from the downright obscene to those that tackled challenging topics and bucked cultural norms of their day.
Interest piqued, I took a closer look. Prominently displayed were titles like Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, Worm Loves Worm, and Julián is a Mermaid. First, zero points for diversity of topic and viewpoint. I didn’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). Second, a book about the unconventional nuptial activities of garden invertebrates was not on my bingo card for this library trip.
I left the library thoroughly disturbed at the idea that children were being introduced to these adult topics, possibly before they could even read.
The Freedom to Read … What?
A twisted theme lies underneath all the colorful and cutesy covers. Books like those featured in CPL’s banned books display focus on sexual topics, which is bizarre and inappropriate to find in books aimed at young readers. And, not only are the topics of the books sexual, but they also present the concepts of sex and gender through a false lens.
Pride features the story of Harvey Milk, a revered LGBT icon, but also a predator of young boys. Worm Loves Worm, recommended for children as young as age four, tells the story of the same-sex wedding of two worms. Julián is a Mermaid is the tale of a boy whose greatest dream is to become a mermaid, and the author claims drag was one of her inspirations. These titles exemplify the extreme views of gender ideologues masquerading as bedtime stories.
I wrote to the library and expressed my concerns about the display and its featured titles, inquiring whether the library might consider a fall-themed display for the children’s section instead. Since each display is intentionally curated with an educational goal in mind, I wanted to learn what the specific one behind this display was. The responses I received were unsatisfying.
From the Children’s Services and Family Engagement department:
CPL serves a large patron base, and we strive to create collections that reflect the breadth and diversity of Chicago’s community to provide folks with a large array of choices when selecting materials … CPL supports the freedom for all patrons to choose the materials most appropriate for their children as they accompany them on their library visits. We serve a large and diverse community, and we certainly understand that not every book will be right for every reader.
And from the children’s librarian:
this current display celebrates the freedom to read and highlights a variety of youth materials from our collection … we aim to curate collections at CPL that are reflective of our diverse communities … of course not every book will be a good fit for every child, but those decisions lay with the families and not the library.
These responses prompt another question — the freedom to read what, exactly?
Parental Responsibility and Common Sense
I was homeschooled growing up, and my mom probably took more interest than the average parent in what we kids read. But she still allowed us the freedom to select our own books on much-anticipated visits to the library. While the books I picked out weren’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 wasn’t too many years ago.
CPL tried to absolve themselves of any responsibility for the banned books display. “It’s the parent’s responsibility to help their children choose books,” I was told. And that’s true, to a certain extent. But this doesn’t answer the question of why the display was created in the first place, and why these particular titles are even available to children.
Plus, parents shouldn’t have to worry that their child will encounter titles such as those in CPL’s banned books display. Busy, working parents cannot be blamed for getting blindsided by the bizarre direction children’s literature is taking, especially when the books seem innocuous enough and the recommendations are coming straight from the children’s department.
To young kids, the world is pretty simple, and that’s a good thing. We should love and respect everybody, and children generally comprehend this basic concept easily. These books aren’t trying to teach kids classic lessons about kindness and acceptance. 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, doesn’t seem right to you.
Pawns in a Culture War
Children are increasingly exploited in today’s most contentious cultural battles. Young and impressionable, their understanding of reality and themselves has yet to be developed. They’re the perfect targets for ideologues with an agenda, and it’s not surprising that we’re seeing an increase in children identifying as the opposite sex, or even as genderless.
Deviant books about sex and gender should be banned from the children’s section. We don’t have a nebulous “freedom to read.” We should read books that are grounded in what is real, good, and beautiful — books that will help our children understand reality in an age-appropriate way, rather than confusing them with a false perception of the world. This is why previously banned books such as To Kill A Mockingbird and A Wrinkle in Time are now beloved classics. They tell the truth about the world, and truth has staying power. Worm Loves Worm does not.
It can be overwhelming to realize the scale of ideological propaganda flooding libraries and schools. There is only so much that parents can do to protect their child’s innocence. But there is plenty that parents can do.
Say something when you notice objectionable material on the children’s shelves. Be as vigilant as possible about what your kids are reading. Promote good children’s literature, and maybe even try your hand at writing some if you’re linguistically inclined. Raise discerning readers who think critically and ask questions. And you can’t go wrong with the classics like Good Night Moon.
Kathryn Pluta is a recent graduate from Benedictine College and lives in Chicago, where she works as a copywriter.
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