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Book Burning 2008Last week we wrote about children’s books that feature a two-mommy family. While these books are great, they are few and far between — as are all gay-friendly books for that matter. One of the most recent LGBT-themed kids’ titles is a lovely picture book called And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. Based on a true story, it’s about two male penguins that want to raise a family so badly that they start caring for an egg-shaped rock. The zookeeper is so moved by this that she gives them a real egg to nurse. The book features cute penguins, characters that overcome the odds, and a wonderful message about the importance of family. So, what’s not to love?
Apparently, a lot — And Tango Makes Three is the most “challenged” book in schools and libraries for a second straight year, according to the American Library Association. What’s the public’s beef with a sweet kids’ book? You can probably guess, but here’s the explanation Judith Krug of the ALA gave the Associated Press: “The complaints are that young children will believe that homosexuality is a lifestyle that is acceptable. The people complaining, of course, don't agree with that." Well, we can’t have that, now can we? Let’s not upset the breeders with a book that teaches kids about antiquated things like compassion, acceptance, and understanding. On second thought, we should have our own list of children’s books and teen fiction that’s actually worth challenging. I’ll start:
My Beautiful Mommy
The O'Reilly Factor for Kids
The Ashleys I’m singling this one out from all the other bad teen-chick lit on the market now because it’s actually written for tweens (that’s girls between the ages of 9 and 13, for those of you keeping score at home). Is it too much to ask for one likable — or at least half-way decent — girl character for us to relate to these days? I’m just so sick of reading about vapid, bitchy girls who only care about makeup and gossip. It’s like reading the transcripts of MTV’s The Hills. From now on, I’m objecting to any book that uses the term “frenemy” (in a non-ironical way, of course). What other children’s books or teen lit would you add to our challenge list? Submitted by on May 15, 2008 - 11:04am. |
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Tweens? Frenemy? O'Reilly
Tweens? Frenemy? O'Reilly for kids? Nip/tucking in kinder garden?
Twilight Zone moment, gosh.
And the penguins are the crazy ones...
this makes me sad.
I can't believe this book my Beautiful Mommy is even a possibility. When I was a kid I always had friends ask me if my mom had gotten things done, especially to her upper body but never thought anything of it. That was until I was told what happend. I think it's disgusting that this is widey becoming accepted as the norm by a huge majority of the population, and yet an innocent book about gay pequins who raise an egg is shuddered at.
Bill O'Reilly is a pompous man and we know it. He is extremely full of himself and has too much power for his own good. Like a greedy king. Therefore I try to ignore him as I do with Bush and Paula Abdul. The world needs to change and I think it can, It's just gonna take a while.
http://www.youtube.com/sinfulhex
The Ashleys?
Unless this chick lit was written a while ago, I believe Disney's animated cartoon Recess has already filled the role of a four gossipy Ashleys group
Scandalous.
exactly!
Right when I saw the title 'The Ashleys" I was thinking about Recess
*flashback*
How could I forget about the original Ashleys?! Scandalous. Ooooooo. That was a good cartoon.
But, to be on topic, I'm appalled by everything but the gay penguins (for obvious reasons). People are becoming hateful, vapid, plastic effigies of actual human beings and a couple of cute gay penguins seem to be the bigger issue? Why is everyone so "backwards"?
~It means pride.~
Those penguins are ADORABLE.
Just about every Fairy Tale we were brought up on.
*sigh*
As a librarian, I hate to see any book banned. I wonder if they will write a sequel since the penguins split up (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/24/nyregion/24penguins.html). It'd be a good read for kids of gay parents who are seperating.
As to the Ashley books, anything that is going to spark a kid's interest in reading is okay in my book. The Gossip Girl books are pretty horrible in themselves as I read the last one to find out what all the fuss was about. The television show is a higer quality, and the characters seem to have emotional range. Their print alter egos are pretty two dimensional.
US. v. CA
Why don't I live in Canada?
Scandalous!
The Ashleys is such a rip off of Recess.
I can't believe they are making such a big deal about the penguin book. I saw the book a while ago and figured it was a hetero book about mommies daddies and babies. So I didn't even look through it. I think that is what threatens people. That the book seems so "normal." Cause God forbid the gays look like normal people. Maybe if the book had rainbows and flamboyant gay penguins drinking cocktails everyone would feel more comfortable.
I am my very own shade of grey.
Scandalous!
The Ashleys is such a rip off of Recess.
I can't believe they are making such a big deal about the penguin book. I saw the book a while ago and figured it was a hetero book about mommies daddies and babies. So I didn't even look through it. I think that is what threatens people. That the book seems so "normal." Cause God forbid the gays look like normal people. Maybe if the book had rainbows and flamboyant gay penguins drinking cocktails everyone would feel more comfortable.
I am my very own shade of grey.
i love penguins
And I remember this story of the two, caring for the rock, I thought it was sweet. The book looks cute, too, with great art work. Wonder if it's available in the UK!
Gay penguins aren't exactly rare. Many other animals are gay, too, cats and dogs included.
One thing though, can someone explain where the question is in this sentence from the blog post...
When her family comes into some money and states, she decides to use her newfound power for good? Not quite.
That's definitely not a question... What can I say, bad grammar and spelling really annoy me. The fact computers come with spelling and grammar checkers makes it all the more annoying... Personally, I think that it's unprofessional, and detracts from what is an otherwise great site.
Thanks...
Disgusting...
It’s a disgusting world out there, when books about general bitchiness of teenagers and the importance if materialistic advantages is favored over books that are simply about love and acceptance.
I would gladly read the book "And Tango Makes 3" for my baby sisters who are 2 and 7, I know they will enjoy such a book especially that they had a couple of gay bunnies in the past which they adored :P.
And Tango Makes 3 was
never heard of
wow, i'v never heard of the book 'Tango makes Three'. now i have to go find out and get that for my kids.
so what are people gonna tell their kids when they see 2 same sex animal caring for an offspring in the zoo or in the animal's natural environment?, lie to them and said one of them is the mommy and one of them is the daddy just to 'hide' the facts of life?
geez, when are we going so far as to shield children from something that doesn't even hurt them, those kids are gonna be the ones feeling 'stupid' when they finally had to face the facts: yes there are different ways one organism cares for another organism, not just in the case of people but also in the nature of all animals.