It is September and my mind always turns to Banned Books Week. Working in our library children’s department makes me want to guard our books so the children can read about the world around them.
Children do not live in a bubble. The real world is around them every day. They have questions. I need to be able to assist their parents & guardians in locating books that will answer those questions. Children want to explore their world, the good and the bad are parts of the world, and they should be able experience both through the safety of books. Children cannot grow to be critical thinkers if they cannot read about the world around them.
If you find a free moment check out some banned or challenged books and find out why they were banned. Check out the most challenged books of 2017. Did You read any of them? What did you think about them? I find some of the reasons outrageous. Books have been banned for being “too depressing” or the author’s name is the same as another author who wrote something controversial so the first author’s picture book was banned.
I have made a photo op on one of the pillars in our library. It looks a bit like a police line -up background. There is a small sign you may hold with your book that says “Caught Reading Banned Books. I hope you will find your favorite banned or challenged book and have your picture taken. Don’t forget to tag us in your pictures on social media!”