Children's Books: What's Hot Now: Banned Children's Books

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Banned Children's Books Sep 28th 2011, 10:03 What's the state of censorship, challenged and banned children's books and books for teens in the twenty-first century? There have been some changes in the last few years. For example, for several years the Harry Potter series was vigorously challenged. By the 2005 Banned Books Week report, the American Library Association (ALA) announced, "This year marks the first in five in which the Harry Potter series does not top or appear on the ALA's annual list [of the top 10 most challenged books." (For more, see The Harry Potter Controversy). According to Article 3 of the Library Bill of Rights, “Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.” (Source: ALA Library Bill of Rights) As far as numbers of challenges, "There are hundreds of challenges to books in schools and libraries in the United States every year. According to the American Library Association (ALA), there were at least 248 in 2010; the ALA estimates that 70 to 80 percent are never reported." (Source: Official Banned Books Week Site) “Even though not every book will be right for every reader, the ability to read, speak, think and express ourselves freely are core American values,” said Barbara Jones, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. “Protecting one of our most fundamental rights â€" the freedom to read â€" means respecting each other’s differences and the right of all people to choose for themselves what they and their families read.” (April 14, 2010 ALA News Release) The 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2010 According to the American Library Association (ALA), the following books are the 10 Most Challenged Books of 2010. After the title and author of each book are the reasons cited for the challenges: And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson Reasons: homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie Reasons: offensive language, racism, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley Reasons: insensitivity, offensive language, racism, and sexually explicit Crank, by Ellen Hopkins Reasons: drugs, offensive language, and sexually explicit The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins Reasons: sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence Lush, by Natasha Friend Reasons: drugs, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group What My Mother Doesn't Know, by Sonya Sones Reasons: sexism, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich Reasons: drugs, inaccurate, offensive language, political viewpoint, and religious viewpoint Revolutionary Voices, edited by Amy Sonnie Reasons: homosexuality and sexually explicit Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer Reasons: religious viewpoint and violence (Source: American Library Association One of the best ways to see how thing have and have not changed over time is to compare and contrast the above list with my article about the 2005 annual list of the most challenged books and with the list below. The 100 Most Challenged Books of the Decade (2000-2009) Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling Alice series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman ttyl, ttfn, l8r, g8r (series), by Myracle, Lauren The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky (See the ALA Web site for the entire list.) In addition to the excellent resources on the detailed ALA Banned Books Week site, check out the following: Censorship: Wielding the Red Pen - Through the Eyes of a Child from the University of Virginia provides a look at a small sampling of children's books from the 1990-1999 list and some of the objections to them. Jim Trelease on Censorship and Children’s Books contains a lot of information from the author of The Read-Aloud Handbook. The well-documented article The Censorship of Canadian Children’s Literature is by Iram Khan, who manages CanTeach, a site for Canadian teachers. Think for Yourself and Let Others Do the Same on the American Library Association site, which you can download as a PDF, contains information about some of the challenged or banned children's books between May 2009 and May 2010. See All About Book Banning and Children's Books for more of my articles about the subject.

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Child Care: What's Hot Now: Find Ways To Limit Back-Talk

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Find Ways To Limit Back-Talk Sep 28th 2011, 10:03 Talking back or "sass" is a common lament among parents, and can cause some rift within the family if the behavior is not controlled and redirected. What can parents and child care providers do to put the lid on this unacceptable behavior? Here are some tips. Look at the child's situation and surroundings. What kind of talk occurs around her? How much sarcasm, fighting and sass is he exposed to? Make sure a child is not modeling behaviors he encounters regularly. If this is the case, changing the environment is the first place to start. Analyze a kid's self-esteem and comfort. Does the youngster feel powerless or not listened to? Does he seem out of control? Is it possible that the back-talk occurs because the child has found that it is the most effective way to get listened to? Again, if this is the case, tackling these issues first may resolve the problem. Techniques to tackle the problem of talking back include: Establish behavior expectations and stick with them. Simply say: "Talking that way is not allowed." Remain firm and direct. Teach the consequence that talking that way will NOT get a child what he wants. This important lesson must be understood by a back-talking child. Adults can simply say: "I am not going to talk with you or listen while you have this tone with me. Once you change how you talk with me, then I will be glad to listen." Teach a child proper communication methods. Sometimes, a child really doesn't know how to properly ask for things or to communicate. In an appropriate setting and time (and not when a child has just challenged an adult with back-talk), calmly explain to a youngster how to properly communicate. Be sure that they understand, however, that simply asking respectfully still does not necessarily mean they will achieve the outcome they are requesting. Otherwise, parents/providers will be seeking advice on managing a spoiled brat. As appropriate for their age and development, begin teaching a child how to handle disappointment. Explain ways a child can cope or even voice disappointment or displeasure without talking back to an adult. Play act a scenario with a child and provide him with a chance to practice an appropriate response. Reinforce that inappropriate reactions/behaviors should always be followed by an apology and an attempt to again relay the communication in a non-"sass" tone. Praise good behavior and appropriate actions/reactions. Realize that it is hard to handle life's disappointments, and responses often have to be learned.

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Child Care: What's Hot Now: Holidays Increase Fire Risks

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Holidays Increase Fire Risks Sep 20th 2011, 10:02 Holidays often bring with them glowing candles, extra lighting, and more plugged-in items such as warming trays, decorations, and extra paper and materials around the home. With this also comes an increased risk of accidental fires in a home or child care setting. Child care providers, educators and parents should be aware of fire safety when plugging in lights and decorations, and as a part of decorating be sure to add in a reminder to children about fire safety. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), approximately 4,000 Americans die in fires and about 25,000 are injured from fires every year. The message the USFA is making sure kids of all ages know about fire safety for kids basics and whether families and businesses prepared in case of a fire in the home. In-home child care providers should consider providing parents with information about their fire safety plan in the unlikely event of a fire while children are in care. Providers can also ask parents to provide a brief description of their own home fire safety plan and reinforce it through discussions, drawings, and play throughout the month. The USFA emphasizes that anyone’s home can fall victim to a fire, and while eliminating fire hazards is one important sign, it is critical to have an escape plan. After all, planning and preparation may save your life or the life of loved ones. Special attention should be given to ensuring that outlets are not overloaded, candles are out of reach of children and are not left burning, and that paper items are not placed in areas that could be ignited.

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Children's Books: What's Hot Now: Thanksgiving Books for Kids

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Thanksgiving Books for Kids Sep 20th 2011, 10:02 While there are many inaccurate and silly children's books about Thanksgiving, there are also excellent children's Thanksgiving books: some that stress giving thanks, some that are humorous, and one that provides a historically accurate picture of the first Thanksgiving. Here are the children's Thanksgiving books that I particularly recommend. 1. 1621, A New Look at Thanksgiving National Geographic Society This Thanksgiving book for 8-12 year olds provides an accurate account of Thanksgiving in 1621. It was written in collaboration with Plimoth Plantation, a living history museum. 1621, A New Look at Thanksgiving is illustrated with photographs of museum reenactments. The text and photographs present the Thanksgiving story from the viewpoints of both the English colonists and the Wampanoag people. (National Geographic, 2001. ISBN: 0792270274) Read my review of 1621, A New Look at Thanksgiving. Read Review 2. In Every Tiny Grain of Sand Candlewick Press Reeve Lindbergh's book In Every Tiny Grain of Sand is subtitled A Child's Book of Prayers and Praise. In Every Tiny Grain of Sand is divided into four sections: For the Day, For the Home, For the Earth, and For the Night, each with a different illustrator. The selections are from a variety of authors, cultures, and religions. The illustrations are wonderful and the selections a delight. While not a children's Thanksgiving book, it certainly emphasizes giving thanks and is a book to be enjoyed by all ages. (Candlewick Press, 2000. ISBN: 0763601764) Read my review of In Every Tiny Grain of Sand. Read Review 3. Ankle Soup MoJo Inkworks The picture book Ankle Soup by Maureen Sullivan provides a whole new perspective on Thanksgiving - a dog's ankle-high view of Thanksgiving Day in New York City. Through Sullivan's story in rhyme and Allison Josephs' joyous and richly hued paintings, you'll join Carlos the French Bulldog on a cab ride through the city, past Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, to Grand Central Station. There, Carlos sees people happily greeting one another, from a young couple to triplets and their grandmother. He also sees acts of kindness, like a "kindly gent" giving money to a man in need. Carlos reminds readers, "Please try to see things/from my point of view./ You'r ankles are nice but.../ you're more than a shoe." (MoJo Inkworks, 2008. ISBN: 9780982038109) 4. Thelonius Turkey Lives! (on Felicia Ferguson’s Farm) Cover photo courtesy of PriceGrabber This wacky tale, with its even wackier mixed media illustrations, will delight four- to eight-year-olds. Thelonius Turky is afraid that farmer Felicia Ferguson plans to eat him for Thanksgiving. After all, he's the only turkey left on the farm. With the help of the other farm animals, Thelonius tries to thwart Felicia’s plan with all kinds of mischief. Happily, Felicia Ferguson has something very special in mind for him, and it’s not to turn him into Thanksgiving dinner. Because of the humor and the illustrations, this book is a good read-aloud for ages 4-9. (Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. ISBN: 0375831266) 5. Gracias The Thanksgiving Turkey Cover photo courtesy of PriceGrabber Joy Cowley’s Thanksgiving picture book is illustrated with colorful oil paintings by Joe Cepeda. A young Hispanic boy, Miquel, lives with his grandparents in a city apartment. His father sends him a turkey to fatten up for the holiday. Instead, the bird becomes Miquel’s pet. Its life is spared when it is unexpectedly blessed by the priest. Gracias The Thanksgiving Turkey is an engaging story that will appeal to four- to eight-year-olds. (Scholastic paperbacks, 2005. ISBN: 9780439769877) 6. The Perfect Thanksgiving Cover photo courtesy of PriceGrabber Artist JoAnn Adinolfi used colored pencil and collage to create a colorful accompaniment to the rhyming text of Eileen Spinelli in The Perfect Thanksgiving, a delightful picture book. The story and illustrations are full of humor, with an important underlying message. A girl compares a "perfect" neighbor family's "perfect Thanksgiving" with her own imperfect family's "less-than-perfect Thanksgiving." Despite the marked differences, she realizes the two families are also alike: "alike in just how loving our different families are." (Square Fish, 2007. ISBN: 9780312375058) 7. Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message Cover photo courtesy of PriceGrabber According to the author, Chief Jake Swamp, the text of this picture book is "based on the Thanksgiving Address, an ancient message of peace and appreciation of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants" that comes from the Iroquois. The striking illustrations, acrylic paintings on canvas by Erwin Printup, Jr., capture the beauty of nature with drama and simplicity and complement the message of Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message This is another book the entire family will appreciate. (Lee & Low Books, 1995. ISBN: 1880000156) 8. Thanks for Thanksgiving HarperCollins In Thanks for Thanksgiving, a joyful and and humorous Thanksgiving picture book, a youbg boy and girl celebrate and give thanks for the love of family and friends. Doris Barrette'd detailed and funny illustrations complement the rhyming text by Julie Markes. Each double page contains one sentence and an illustration, generally one crowded with family members, toys, pets, and more. The last page of Thanks for Thanksgiving is blank except for the heading: "A place to write our thankful thoughts, year after year." I recommend it for ages 3-6. (HarperCollins, 2004. ISBN: 9780060510961)

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Children's Books: What's Hot Now: Winter & Snow in Picture Books

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Winter & Snow in Picture Books Sep 20th 2011, 10:02 Lois Ehlert is a master of collage and Snowballs is a delightful look at a variety of snow people and animals that can be made with snowballs and household items like mittens, buttons, and nuts. Snowballs is told in the words of a child who, along with the rest of the family, has "been waiting for a really big snow, saving good stuff in a sack." The good stuff includes corn, bird seed, and nuts for the birds and squirrels to eat off of the snow creatures; hats, scarves, bottle caps, plastic forks, buttons, fall leaves, a man's tie, and a lot of other things. The photo collages feature fabric circles as snowballs that are transformed when stacked and decked out with features and accessories. At the end of the book, there is a two-page photo feature showing all of the "good stuff," with captions, that the family used to make the snow people and animals. That's followed by a four-page section about snow, including what it is and what makes it snow and featuring photographs of snowmen and other snow creatures. This book will appeal to children of all ages who enjoy playing in the snow, making their own snowballs and transforming them with good stuff. Compare prices. (Harcourt Children's Books, 1995. ISBN: 0152000747)

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Children's Books: What's Hot Now: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid Sep 20th 2011, 10:02 Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Author and Illustrator: Jeff Kinney Age Level: Tweens and young teens, grades 4-8 Length: 224 pages Story: Diary of a Wimpy Kid takes a humorous look at school and family life, told in the form of an illustrated diary by the main character, Greg Heffley, who has just started middle school. For more information, read my review of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Copyright: 2007 Publisher: Amulet Books, An Imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc. ISBN: 9780810993136 Cost: Compare prices.

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Children's Books: D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths: A Classic

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D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths: A Classic Sep 19th 2011, 00:01 One of the nice side effects of the popularity of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is upper elementary and middle school readers' increased interest in Greek mythology. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths provides an excellent introduction to Greek gods and Greek myths and mythology. The book is a classic, first published in 1962. The 192-page long, profusely illustrated book by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire, is filled with brief accounts of the Greek gods that will fascinate young readers 9-12. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths is also a popular read aloud for younger children and popular as well with some young teens. Are your children interested in Greek myths? What children's books about Greek mythology do they like? Click on "Comments" below and share your recommendations. (Cover art courtesy of Random House)

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