This Book Is Banned

July 15, 2023
A zany, fourth wall-breaking exploration of book banning. A note before the title page defines censorship as "when one group of people decides that no one should be allowed to read a certain book, and they try to remove that book from libraries and schools." In the exhaustingly long text that follows, an off-the-page narrator slowly erases everything that happens in this not-a-story: Giraffes have to go because the hippos resent them for eating all the leaves; avocados are eliminated because someone thinks they're "gross"; and a roller-skating robot is edited out because it's deemed dangerous. In one scene, involving a birthday party for a brown-skinned child named Yasmeen, we learn that conflict over cake slices led to the restriction of birthday parties altogether. There's no coherent plot aside from the ongoing redactions. Wacky, energetic illustrations are the selling point of this otherwise-confusing tale, which never quite settles into something readable. The opening note mentions that "everyone should be allowed to share their opinions (as long as they're not hurting others)," which ignores the arguments of book banners who regularly argue that they only want to restrict harmful materials. (This book was reviewed digitally.) High-key fun at the expense of real issues. (Picture book. 5-9)

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September 11, 2023
Haldar and Patton employ absurdist hijinks to explore the practice of book banning in this admonishing volume. “Didn’t you read the title before you decided to open this book?! It’s banned,” begins pointed first-person narration, which goes on to tell how the title got to this place. It all begins with hippos’ petty complaint over giraffes “getting all the leaves for themselves,” which results in both being removed from the story. When the increasingly self-censoring narrator attempts various replacement subjects—a bed, a roller-skating robot, a birthday party, unicorns—each proves to be too contentious for inclusion (“Some people think dinosaurs are make believe? That’s silly, but all right”). By story’s end, readers will likely have had at least one beloved subject ousted—potentially prompting conversation about real-world events that prefatory remarks establish as “downright dangerous.” Patton’s draft-like renderings rely on pencil, collage, and digital techniques to emphasize the tale’s work-in-progress vibe. Ages 4–8.

August 31, 2023
Preschool-Grade 1 Book banning is a widespread concern at libraries all over the country, and this picture book gamely attempts to demonstrate the impact to the youngest readers, though it doesn't quite succeed. A narrator introduces innocuous subjects, such as giraffes, hippos, avocados, birthday parties, and so on, but with each new introduction, an objection is raised, and that subject is stricken from the book in a thick scrawl of red pencil. Patton's energetic, multimedia illustrations of bewildered creatures wondering why they've been summarily erased are certainly entertaining, and the bustling layouts match the antic tone. While kids might appreciate the unfairness of removing story elements just because someone else doesn't like them, that overall message gets lost in the muddled narrative. Moreover, as library workers face real threats in their day-to-day work in their communities, the somewhat glib tone of the book runs the risk of making light of a truly serious problem. Yes, kids should learn about the impact of book bans, and while this is diverting, it likely won't clarify the issue for its target audience.

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Starred review from October 1, 2023

Gr 1-3-What's the deal with giraffes? In this book, the tall creatures are getting all the tasty leaves, and the hippos don't like it one bit. The solution: Ban stories about giraffes! Complaining hippos are the next to be banned, followed by dinosaurs, avocados, beds, birthday cakes, and more. Illustrations add impact, with plenty of red pencil marks and "banned" signs plastered over items and text. The narrator addresses readers in a conversational tone: "Are you sure you want to keep reading? You do? You're having fun?" The answer will most definitely be "yes," but the hilarity is balanced by more serious intent, beginning with an age-appropriate definition of a banned book: "It's when one group of people decides that no one should be allowed to read a certain book, and they try to remove that book from libraries and schools." The ensuing examples, while comical, build understanding about what motivates book banners, including misinformation (dinosaurs are make-believe), personal beliefs (avocados are disgusting), and fear (there's a monster under the bed). The book's strong throughline extends from the "banned" cover image to the redacted author and illustrator biographical end notes that kids will enjoy deciphering. In a stirring conclusion, readers are reminded that "Even if a book isn't for you, it could still be perfect for someone else." VERDICT A funny, thought-provoking book that opens the door to discussion about book banning with younger children.-Jenny Andrus

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