It’s Banned Books week! There’s lots of interesting info out there about what books have been banned over the years and for what reasons. We all know there are books we wouldn’t let our kids read until appropriate ages and books we wouldn’t think would be appropriate at any age for ourselves, even if we don’t love the idea of censorship. The written word is powerful! That’s why I love writing and instilling a love of reading in my kids.
BUT there are definitely books that are banned from the Bradley household. And they may not be the ones you think. Here is Maralee’s List of Banned Books (with my tongue firmly in cheek and no judgement if I see them sitting in your stack of library books):
Danny looking for his favorite book when he was supposed to be napping. Nailed it.
The Berenstain Bears: Seriously, is there any topic that the Bernstein Bears haven’t attempted to cover? Talk about over saturation. It’s exhausting to just read through the list of what they’ve been up to. I think you could probably read a Berenstain Bears book for every activity of your day. “Sweetie, we need to blow your nose. Thank goodness there’s a Berenstain Bears book to let us know how exactly to do that!” But clearly the biggest issue with those bears, is the idiot Dad. Poor Mama Bear has to parent him, too. Not exactly the role modeling I want for my kids.
I Love You Forever: Codependency has never been more creepy. Seriously Mom, he’s an adult. Do NOT drive over there at night and sneak into his bedroom. Can you imagine being married to that guy? Those are some serious boundary issues. Bradley Children, Mommy will love you forever, but will also give you your space as you become an adult. Where’s that children’s book? I would buy that one.
Where’s Waldo: These books are tremendous fun. . . once. They are fun exactly one time. Especially if you have a child who likes to CIRCLE WALDO in pen when they find him. Or you get them from the public library where they have been circled and erased so many times it then becomes a speed reading game. No thank you.
Where the Wild Things Are: This is a lovely story about a child who is rude to his mom, his mom sends him to bed without supper, and then she caves. Nice job, Mom. Oh yeah— and there are terrifying, nightmare inducing pictures.
The Lorax: Dr. Seuss, you are awesome at doing the fun, rhyming thing. I am happy to read your thoughts on breakfast food combinations or the insights you offer on the appropriateness of jumping on your father, but I find your politics a little weird. This book feels so heavy-handed and it’s hard to read without stopping to argue a little bit about the finer points of supply and demand economics or good stewardship principles, which apparently my toddlers find annoying.
Are You My Mother: Um, this is book is frightening. A mother leaves for a minute and her baby disappears. The kid wanders around talking to strangers and getting in mortal danger until his mother returns. My kids find this book adorable, but the non-fiction side of me finds it a little much to take.
The Cat in the Hat: The only character I like in this book is the fish. And generally speaking, I do not like fish. Children are left unsupervised while a fast-talking cat wreaks havoc on their house. And the last sentence in the book is about whether or not children should be honest with their parents in a difficult situation? I’m siding with the fish on this one.
So what books are “banned” in your house?
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