Thank you, Carla, at Carla Loves To Read for posting this. Read on to see what classic children’s books were banned. My addition to banned children’s books is Charlotte’s Web.
Saturday Morning for Kids: Banned Books Addition
This meme was started by Rae Longest at Powerful Women Readers, but as she is busy with her bookstore, she is not posting as much and asked me to take over. I hope some of you will join in and post those reviews of children’s or middle grade books on Saturdays. As I am a grandmother, who loves to read to her grandchildren, a mother who loved to read to and with her children, and a retired teacher librarian, this meme is right up my alley.
This is a bit different of a post this week. I am not reviewing any books but sharing some wonderful books that have been banned and the reason for it. I have read all these book to either my children, grandchildren or to students when I was teaching.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
What it’s about: “Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy.”
So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk…and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.
This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.
Why It Was Banned: The Giving Tree was banned from a public library in Colorado in 1988, and has faced challenges elsewhere, primarily because it was interpreted as promoting a sexist message. Critics believed the book depicted a female tree that selflessly gives everything to a selfish boy who takes without giving anything in return. Some also argued the book encourages unhealthy, codependent relationships or the exploitation of nature.
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
What It’s About: In the zoo there are all kinds of animal families. But Tango’s family is not like any of the others.
This illustrated children’s book fictionalizes the true story of two male penguins who became partners and raised a penguin chick in the Central Park Zoo.
At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own!
Why It Was Banned: And Tango Makes Three has not been “banned” universally but has been a consistently challenged and restricted book in U.S. schools and libraries due to its portrayal of two male penguins raising a chick, which some object to for depicting homosexuality as normal. Challenges cite the book as “unsuitable” or “anti-family” and have led to its removal from some schools and libraries, particularly after the implementation of the “Don’t Say Gay” law in Florida, though legal challenges have often resulted in the book’s return to public access.
Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
What It’s About: Harriet the Spy has a secret notebook that she fills with utterly honest jottings about her parents, her classmates, and her neighbors. Every day on her spy route she “observes” and notes down anything of interest to her.
IF MARION HAWTHORNE DOESN’T WATCH OUT SHE’S GOING TO GROW UP INTO A LADY HITLER.
But when Harriet’s notebook is found by her schoolmates, their anger and retaliation and Harriet’s unexpected responses explode in a hilarious way.
Why It Was Banned: Harriet the Spy was banned and challenged because critics argued the main character was a bad influence who encouraged children to lie, spy, talk back, and curse. The book was also criticized for Harriet’s abrasive personality, her tantrums, and the fact that she didn’t seem sorry for the hurt she caused others by writing about them in her notebook.
Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola
What It’s About: Strega Nona — “Grandma Witch” — is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical everfull pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony. He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, Big Anthony recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results.
In this retelling of an old tale, author-illustrator Tomie dePaola (whose middle names is Anthony) combines humor in the writing and warmth in the paintings as he builds the story to its hilarious climax.
Why Was It Banned: Strega Nona has been challenged and banned in some children’s libraries due to its positive depiction of magic and witchcraft. Some religious or concerned groups view the benevolent portrayal of witchcraft, including a magical pasta pot used to heal ailments and create food, as potentially harmful or inappropriate for children.
This is just 4 children’s books that have been challenged and banned in different places at different times. Pick one up and give it a read.
A Teacher's Reflections 
Will do! “Strega Nona” sounds delightful…and new to me. Thank you, Jennie! 🥰❤️🥰
It is a classic, and you will love it! Thanks, Vicki. 😍
Xo! 🥰❤️🥰
That’s a good repost, Jennie. We all need to know which books have been banned, and the reasons for that.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. Yes, we do need to know. For the most part it is narrow mindedness, focused on one thing. Sigh!
I never believed we would ever see books banned again, but I have been proved wrong.
I feel the same way.
banning books makes me so upset. a family can decide if they don’t want their child to be exposed to a book at a certain age, and the child can then make their own decision. no one else should be able to ban a book for anyone else. thank you for this.
I can’t agree more, Beth. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Hear, hear!
Agreed.
Yes!!! It’s up to the family to decide. I get so upset, too. Did you know Sylvester and the Magic Pebble was a banned book? I knew you would like this, and I knew it would hit a nerve with you.
that’s so crazy and it sure did !
🙂
Thanks for the repost, Jennie.
I am reading a book right now, That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America by Amanda Jones. She is a teacher/librarian who spoke out against censorship at a town meeting. Her life was put on hold as she received death threats, had lies printed about her online and was trolled by a Christian Organization. It is sad, yet I can’t stop reading, I want to know what eventually happened.
OMG! Please tell me what eventually happened when you finish the book. I was so happy to repost, Carla.
Jennie, a very important post, and it is nice to see you spotlight these books here. In particular, I remember when “And Tango Makes Three” came out, and there were several positive reviews in the face of reading about some folks who didn’t like the message it was delivering. Keep politics out of our books.
Well said, Bruce! Thank you.
Ignorant Prudes.
My thoughts exactly. I’m glad you said it first.
So sad that books are banned by people who don’t even read!
Yes! It makes me angry, John.
People ought to be able to make up their own minds. Banning books seems to be counter productive. The messages in banned books may be objectionable to some but total experiences is what goes into making up one’s mind about lifestyle not simply one book. Thanks for sharing, Jennie.
You said it perfectly, John. Thank you!
You are welcome, Jennie.
Such an interesting post. Thanks you.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Esther.
If I don’t want my child to read a certain book, okay. I don’t get banning a book for everyone. It makes no sense to me.
It makes no sense at all. Like you said, parents should decide.
The reasons for the bans are mind-boggling. And the magical pasta pot? Magic, in one form or another, appears in most fairy tales. Ugh.
I shift between stunned and angry. Yes, it is mind-boggling. You make a great point that magic is in most fairy tales, so banning a book with magic is, well, stupid.
I guess the other thing I would add is to give children some credit for how they experience a book. They follow the story, ask questions of a responsible adult, get answers, and move on.
Exactly! That’s how it goes.
Thank your for confirming!
😀
I suspect that you know how I feel about banned books, Jennie. It makes me downright angry because the gift of literacy is more important to me than any moralistic decisions that lawmakers think they may know better than the rest of society. Here’s a thought: how about we let children grow up and decide what they want to believe in of their own volition? Isn’t that what freedom is supposed to mean?
Some of the reasons given for the banning of books would never have even entered my mind, and leave me scratching my head.
Yes, yes, yes! I echo your thoughts and words, Pete. How do these morons get to make these moralistic decisions to ban books? I go from angry to wondering. I like your thought about letting children decide on their own. Yes, freedom!
This is very sad to hear. Books are so beautiful and children find them so interesting Jennie. We will never give bad books to read to children.
Well said, Kamal.
All great books–the reasons for banning get crazier and crazier!
Yes, they are. I shake my head at banning books.
Thank you for this post, Jennie!
So many, many books have been banned recently. It’s good to be in the know.
Way too many banned books! Yes, it is good to be in the know. You’re welcome, Resa.
Welcome!
Some of the banned books don’t make sense. Are we now afraid of the three blind mice?
Well said, Resa!
👍
Thanks a lot dear Jennie 🙏😊🙏
You are most welcome, Kamal.
Jennie, thank you for the reposting! And I will repost the repost~!
Thank you, Charles. These were classic books, and a shocker that they were banned.
Well done for ignoring over-sensitive, narrow-minded views and reading these books to your children, grandchildren and students! Harriet the Spy sounds like fun – I may well pick that one up.
You are right, Annabelle. Thank you. Harriette the Spy is one of the best books. I hope you enjoy it.
I read this post on Carla’s site and found it very interesting. Was Charlotte’s Web banned? I can’t imagine why it would be.
Yes, it was banned. AI says it was because of religious objections to talking animals and concerns about the theme of death. Stupid, right? Maybe ignorant is a better word.
I think those are very extreme religious views. Charlotte’s Web is delightful and teaches children about teamwork, determination and friendship.
I think so, too, on both counts.
🌸
Banning books is for fascists!! Reading is for those who want to develop their compassion, thinking, sense of awe and wonder, and critical thinking!!
Hear, hear!
All I’d ban is incitement to hate or violence!
Me, too!
Dear Jennie
Thanks for the little reviews, including the reasons why these books were banned. That is unbelievable in our times, but it makes these books interesting. Fortunately, they didn’t dare to burn the books – yet.
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
You are welcome. Yes, it is unbelievable, but sadly it is still here. I think reading a banned book feels powerful. Heaven forbid burning.
Dear Jennie
It always makes me proud to see a forbidden book in our library.
Have a happy day
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
I feel the same way. Best to you.