I was at children’s story hour today at the local library today and saw a section of children’s books that have been banned or challenged. On the back of the books it explained why. These are a few that I remember:

Shel Silverstein’s “Where the sidewalks ends” because it promotes cannibalism and his book “The Giving Tree” because it’s sexist and criminalizes the forest of agency

Dr Seuss’s “Hop on pop” because it promotes violence

Louise Fitzhugh’s “Harriet the Spy” because it sets a bad example for children (because she’s a spy)

Alan Alexander Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh” because talking animals is an affront to God (despite hundreds, if not thousands of other children’s books that have talking animals) and in other countries because he has no underpants.

Another book was challenged for being racist because it had black people eating watermelon and chicken. The author clarified that the book was based off her actual life and those were things she actually ate.

Another book was banned because it had a transgendered character in it.

The other moms and I thought this was outrageous and couldn’t believe the reasons behind these banned books. There were even more than just these examples, some of which were classics that we all grew up with.

How do you feel about banning books? Do you think that everyone had a right to feel how they want to feel, and therefore books can be banned/challenged because most of us live in free countries? Or do you feel like this is taking things too far and people are getting too offended by anything?