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Children's books are in the news lately -- and not always for good reasons. Books for people under 18 are disproportionately the targets of bans and censorship. This is obviously a major issue for free speech, for the rights of often underrepresented groups to tell their stories and for the rights of others to be able to hear those stories. But it’s also a sign that children’s books are actually right in the middle of important political conversations, and attempts to ban them can be ignored ...
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María and Adrianna talk about Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer, which has topped the charts in recent years as the #1 most banned and challenged book in the US. Adrianna takes the plunge and actually reads it (it's really good!). María chats One Direction fanfic ... there's something for everyone here. Buy Gender Queer here or at your local bookstore. Ch…
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In this episode, we take a look at Lois Lowry's The Giver -- a 90's dystopian classic that was banned for infanticide, murder, pill-popping, euthanasia -- and also some really wild stuff. ------ Sources: https://www.maryvillepawprint.com/banned-the-bluest-eye-and-the-giver/ https://thebookwars.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/banned-books-week-the-giver/ h…
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The story's been repeated for almost a hundred years: in 1931, Alice in Wonderland was banned in China because it depicts talking animals. But is the story even TRUE?? Adrianna and María put on our detective hats and examine the evidence. We also take a look at some AMAZING Chinese "Alice" sequels. Alice in China is willing to die to defend a music…
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María and Adrianna do a deep dive into the pre-publication scandal surrounding Laura Moriarty's YA novel American Heart. Did the book deserve the online backlash? We read through some spicy goodreads comments, and María contemplates a career change. ___ Sources: >> trump allies’ statements on muslim registry x x >> laura moriarty’s slate interview …
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This year has had some real unhinged *moments* in the book banning world, which tbh deserve their own awards. María and Adrianna bestow these honors in front of a totally real audience, commemorating 2023 with awards for Wildest Hate Group, Most Oppressive State, Worst Barbecue, and more. Happy holidays! Check us out on tiktok and instagram For bus…
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What happens when a beloved children's classic has something problematic, outdated, or just plain boring in it -- and the author isn't around to fix it? Sometimes editors take matters into their own hands. We discuss editing controversies involving Shakespeare, Roald Dahl, Doctor Seuss, and even Goosebumps, and Maria offers up a much better version…
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Shel Silverstein was a beloved children’s book author, poet, illustrator, and f*ckboy. Is The Giving Tree super misogynistic? How much should an author’s life affect our judgment of his work? How bad does your childhood have be to make you hate happy endings?? And … most importantly … would you? Sources: >Carnegie Mellon University's Banned Books P…
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We take a wild ride through the 1950’s American South, meeting a racist state senator, some hate groups, and a badass librarian ... all fighting over a couple of rabbits getting married in Garth Williams’ picture book The Rabbits’ Wedding. Also in this episode: the undeniable body horror of Stuart Little. cw: 1950’s American racism :( Sources: >Boo…
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With its two sequels, Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was some iconic 90's horror. They're still cult classics today -- but they were the most banned books in America in the 90’s, just for being too scary for kids. We (gulp) read them and discuss some of the gory bits. How scary is "too scary", anyway? Sources: >Smithsonian Magaz…
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Maria and Adrianna discuss the controversial novels of author and activist Judy Blume — from “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” and “Forever” to the slightly sus “Then Again, Maybe I Won’t”. We talk about deranged first kiss fantasies and the importance of children reading about experiences that are different from their own. Check us out on tik…
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In the first episode of TabooK!, we meet Anthony Comstock, historical anti-vice campaigner and guy-who-hated-fun-children's-books. We discuss our extremely specific childhood fears, and María takes a quiz. Check us out on tiktok and instagram For business inquiries: hello.tabook@gmail.comBy Adrianna R, María J
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María and Adrianna introduce the podcast and hope you will join us on Sundays. Check us out on tiktok and instagram For business inquiries: hello.tabook@gmail.comBy Adrianna R, María J
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