Yahoo Movies ‘Remove it! Send it back!’ A sample of books challenged at Kentucky public libraries
Dozens of books, movies and music CDs have been challenged at Kentucky public libraries in recent years. Here is a sample.
▪ The book: Cautionary Tales for Children, Poems by Hillaire Belloc, illustrations by Edward Gorey
The library: Campbell County Public Library
What’s it about: Outlandishly funny (but dark!) poems first published in 1907 as a parody of cautionary children’s stories popular in the late 19th century. They include Jim, Who Ran Away From His Nurse And Was Eaten By A Lion and Matilda, Who Told Lies and Was Burned To Death. Gorey illustrated a later reprint edition.
The complaint: Violence. “A children’s book that was quite detailed that if you don’t follow rules, there are consequences — being eaten by a lion — and it actually happens — arm by arm, leg by leg ... Very insensitive — thought it was a Halloween book — quite surprised.”
Status: Retained
▪ The book: Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, by Susan Kuklin
The library: Oldham County Public Library
What’s it about: Real-life portraits of six transgender or gender-neutral teens, using interviews and photos. The teens discuss the challenges they’ve faced, including isolation, mockery and sometimes sexual abuse and violence. There also are candid discussions of their emerging sexual awareness and sexual activities.
The complaint. Sex, mostly. “The book contains explicit language, violence and graphic descriptions of sexual acts carried out by children. Any reading material that promotes the sexual encounters of or with a 6 year old, or any child, has no place in a taxpayer-funded library.”
Status: Retained
▪ Antiracist Baby, written by Ibram X. Kendi and illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
The library: Bullitt County Public Library
What it’s about: A children’s board book about dealing squarely with racism and injustice. It’s aimed as much at parents and caregivers as kids. Lesson headings include “Open your eyes to all skin colors,” “Point at policies as the problem, not people” and “Confess when being racist.”
The complaint: Racism, ironically. “It is introducing Critical Race Theory. ... Its political basis declares everyone except ‘Black Lives Matter-Terrorist Party’ and anyone whose skin color is not black to be racist. ... REMOVE IT! Send it back and get your money back! It is DAMAGING!”
Status: Retained
