Banned Book

by Jonah Winter, Gary Kelley (Illustrator)

Overview

"The words were dangerous." For as long as people have been expressing their opinions in writing, there have been those in positions of power who have succeeded in censoring those thoughts. In this timely and provocative parable, a book is first subjected to redaction, then removal from a library. What becomes of a banned book? Is it really just landfill fodder in the end? Readers must decide for themselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781568463940
Publisher:	The Creative Company
Publication date:	08/08/2023
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.65(w) x 11.70(h) x 0.55(d)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jonah Winter is the award-winning author of more than 40 nonfiction picture books that promote environmental awareness and social and racial justice. Among them are Banned Book, Here Comes the Garbage Barge!; Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality; My Name is James Madison Hemings; Barack; and Lillian's Right to Vote, a Jane Addams Children's Book Award recipient and Kirkus Prize finalist.
 

Editorial Reviews

09/11/2023

Censor bars gradually fill the pages of this bleak, self-referential exploration of book banning. Following a classic fairy tale opening, a pointed voice recounts the tale of a work—subject redacted—in which “words had been blacked out/ by people who believed the words/ were dangerous.” Unraveling the events of the censorship, the narrator places the blame with a group dubbed “ ‘We Are Right’ (or: ‘WAR’).” The group shows up at a school board meeting, a librarian is silenced, and the book ends up in the trash, to be forgotten for good. Throughout, asterisks point to flimsy justification for the redactions (“These words are not allowed”). Shadows and dusty hues lend Kelley’s chalky geometric artwork an ominous quality that echoes the tone of endangerment summoned by Winter throughout this stark portrayal. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 6–8. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Shadows and dusty hues lend Kelley's chalky geometric artwork an ominous quality that echoes the tone of endangerment summoned by Winter..." – Publishers Weekly

"Shadows and dusty hues lend Kelley's chalky geometric artwork an ominous quality that echoes the tone of endangerment summoned by Winter..." – Publishers Weekly

"It's making a gigantic point rather than a coherent story, but considering the truly peculiar way in which it's doling out its material, you kind of respect it." —Fuse #8 Production, 31 Days, 31 Lists: 2023 Unconventional Children's Books

From the Publisher