The Censorship of Children’s Literature
Although literature and storytelling has been around since the ancient world, the specific genre of children’s literature is something that was not always as refined as many people may think of it today. In this paper, discuss the history of children’s literature, define what censorship is, provide examples of books affected by this censoring, and discuss the future of children’s literature. Prior to about the Renaissance age, there was no clear genre or set of standards for what made a piece of literature specifically for children. In the ancient world, children enjoyed stories about wars, quest, and greek and roman mythologies. Examples of such work include Odyssey, Fables, and Metamorphoses …show more content…
One example is the work of Leslea Newman in her book Heather has Two Mommies written in 1989. This children’s book tells the story of a young girl who parents are both female. Because of this, the book was banned from libraries and labeled as being too controversial. Some individuals even went so far as to check out every copy of the book from their local library with the intention of never returning them. An even bigger reaction to the publication of this book was made by the U.S. Senate, where it was stated that they would “stop federal aid to school districts that ‘carry out a program or activity that has either the purpose or effect of encouraging or supporting homesexulaity as a positive lifestyle alternative.”(Green, 2014). In response to this, author of the book. Newman stated “What strikes me the most about this is how much hatred is being spewed about my book- like this is the most horrible, evil thing that I could’ve possibly unleashed into the world.” (Newman, 2014). Compared to the reason for wanting to ban the Penny Dreadfuls book series, especially when you consider the general level of acceptance today’s society has for homosexuals, this act of censorship seems ridiculous. However, children’s book don’t only have to be violent on talk about …show more content…
This novel was rejected by about twenty six publishers because it featured and protagonist who was female, discussed “the problem of evil” which was believed to be too difficult of a subject for children, was accused of being pro communist, was accused of using offensive language, and for being too Christian, while also not being Christian enough (Baldassarro, 2011). One other book is Roald Dahl’s memorable, James and the Giant Peach, pblished in 1961. In the past, the book has been banned for being too scary for it’s audience’s age group, using mysticism, having sexual references, using profanity, mentions of racism, having references to alcohol and tobacco, and also for supposedly encouraging children to be disobedient, use drugs,and have communist ideas (Baldassarro, 2011). For a list of other frequently challenged books of the twenty first century, you can visit the American Library Association's website. Censoring books is not something that is new to the twenty first century. Censoring literature and the ideas of others has been around since ancient times and continues to play a large role in what the general public and the youth population are allowed to see and read. As the debate over what children should and should not be allowed to read increases, so does the number of organizations for either side
Although literature and storytelling has been around since the ancient world, the specific genre of children’s literature is something that was not always as refined as many people may think of it today. In this paper, discuss the history of children’s literature, define what censorship is, provide examples of books affected by this censoring, and discuss the future of children’s literature. Prior to about the Renaissance age, there was no clear genre or set of standards for what made a piece of literature specifically for children. In the ancient world, children enjoyed stories about wars, quest, and greek and roman mythologies. Examples of such work include Odyssey, Fables, and Metamorphoses …show more content…
One example is the work of Leslea Newman in her book Heather has Two Mommies written in 1989. This children’s book tells the story of a young girl who parents are both female. Because of this, the book was banned from libraries and labeled as being too controversial. Some individuals even went so far as to check out every copy of the book from their local library with the intention of never returning them. An even bigger reaction to the publication of this book was made by the U.S. Senate, where it was stated that they would “stop federal aid to school districts that ‘carry out a program or activity that has either the purpose or effect of encouraging or supporting homesexulaity as a positive lifestyle alternative.”(Green, 2014). In response to this, author of the book. Newman stated “What strikes me the most about this is how much hatred is being spewed about my book- like this is the most horrible, evil thing that I could’ve possibly unleashed into the world.” (Newman, 2014). Compared to the reason for wanting to ban the Penny Dreadfuls book series, especially when you consider the general level of acceptance today’s society has for homosexuals, this act of censorship seems ridiculous. However, children’s book don’t only have to be violent on talk about …show more content…
This novel was rejected by about twenty six publishers because it featured and protagonist who was female, discussed “the problem of evil” which was believed to be too difficult of a subject for children, was accused of being pro communist, was accused of using offensive language, and for being too Christian, while also not being Christian enough (Baldassarro, 2011). One other book is Roald Dahl’s memorable, James and the Giant Peach, pblished in 1961. In the past, the book has been banned for being too scary for it’s audience’s age group, using mysticism, having sexual references, using profanity, mentions of racism, having references to alcohol and tobacco, and also for supposedly encouraging children to be disobedient, use drugs,and have communist ideas (Baldassarro, 2011). For a list of other frequently challenged books of the twenty first century, you can visit the American Library Association's website. Censoring books is not something that is new to the twenty first century. Censoring literature and the ideas of others has been around since ancient times and continues to play a large role in what the general public and the youth population are allowed to see and read. As the debate over what children should and should not be allowed to read increases, so does the number of organizations for either side