A Look Into Banned Children’s Literature
This blog post was researched and written by our Fall 2022 intern, Peyton Jackson!
It’s banned books week! Let’s get knowledgeable on banned literature.
Books are banned to protect people from material that may be insensitive or offensive. Banning can be used for good, but the power to ban can easily be abused. Books can be banned anywhere and by anyone, but it is most prevalent in schools. It is much easier to shelter children and young adults from information over full grown adults, which is why we see so many banned children’s books. Below is a list of children’s books that have been banned in the past, and reasons why they have been banned.
*Spoiler Alert Warning! The following books may have plot points or endings spoiled while discussing why they’ve been banned. Continue reading at your own risk of being spoiled!*
#1: Winnie the Pooh
by A.A. Milne
Winnie the Pooh is a well known and well loved bear by people all around the world. It is hard to believe that a book about him could ever be banned, right?
Well, Pooh Bear has taken the heat from quite a few parents and authority figures. When it was banned in 2006, it was said that A.A Milne’s characters were culturally offensive. That is, the way they spoke and performed actions like humans was considered an affront to God.
The book is also banned in China, Russia, and Poland.
#2: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
“I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!”
The little furry creature who appears from within a tree and tries to save the forest is not so cute to everyone. This Dr. Seuss classic was first banned in 1989 due to the idea that it portrayed the logging industry in a negative light. The book would make children turn away from the industry, possibly ending in its demise once the children turned into adults.
#3: Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry
by Mildred D. Taylor
This widely known children’s book is in the top 10 most challenged books of all time.
The book follows a young girl and her family dealing with racism during the Jim Crow Era. The book is mostly challenged for its use of offensive language. It includes racial slurs and is considered to be a “harsh depiction of racism.”
#4: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
The beloved Charlotte’s Web, much like Winnie the Pooh, was banned in Kansas in 2006 for a very similar reason. A group of parents believed that speaking to animals was unnatural and even blasphemous. These parents also had a problem with Charlotte, literature’s favorite spider, dying at the end. They did not believe their children should have to read about death at such a young age.
#5: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum
We’re off to see the wizard!
In 1928, this book was banned from all public libraries. Many people were speaking out against this book at the time. Most said that the book had no value to young readers because a female hero was unrealistic. Others said that the Lion in the book would make children cowardly.
The book was banned again in 1986 for the depiction of “nice witches.”
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is only banned in the United States.
#6: Alice in Wonderland
by Lewis Carroll
This book was first banned in the year 1900. This ban was not based on the contents of the book, but the life of the author. Lewis Carroll had a reputation which led to his book being banned for the possibility that it promoted sexual fantasies.
Next, it was banned for the use of talking animals, something that is a common trend among banned books.
It was banned once again in 1960, after the film was released. Parents believed that the movie, and therefore the book, encouraged the use of hallucinogenic drugs.
Alice in Wonderland is also banned in China.
#7: James and the Giant Peach
by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl is a frequently banned author. This specific book about a boy traveling the world in a peach has really agitated parents throughout the years.
The book was banned in 1986 for the image and description of the spider character licking her lips, which was deemed too sexual.
The book has also been banned due to the slightly gruesome, strange deaths of both James’ parents and his aunts.
Lastly, it has been banned for drug and alcohol references, specifically in this rhyme:
“Once upon a time/When pigs were swine/And monkeys chewed tobacco/And hens took snuff/To make themselves tough/And the ducks said quack-quack-quacko/And porcupines/Drank fiery wines.”
The book is also banned in China.
#8: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by Roald Dahl
This particular story by Roald Dahl has been in the hot seat for quite awhile.
In 1990, The book was banned due to the accusation that the oompa loompas were portrayed in a racist way. Dahl was appalled by this opinion, and changed their description in the revised version of the book.
People still discuss the oompa loompas and if they are appropriate characters.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is also banned in China.
#9: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
In this classic children’s story, a boy takes apples from an apple tree throughout his entire life. The tree, identified as female, does not receive anything in return. It was banned in 1988 due to the idea that it was sexist. Others believe that it promotes selfishness, narcissism, and even codependency.
#10: Harold and the Purple Crayon
by Crockett Johnson
This seemingly sweet book about a boy named Harold has been banned multiple times for its believed promotion of vandalism and destruction of property. Parents do not want their children to repeat Harold’s actions, therefore they should not hear about them in the first place.
Which banned children’s book surprised you the most? Which, if any, of the reasons for banning these books do you actually agree with? Let us know all of your thoughts!