BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN BANNED AND WHY?

Children’s book called Bratz has been banned from being put into Scholastic sales. Parents have complained that “the dolls promoted precocious sexuality”. The books being chosen to put into Scholastic sales must "offer materials that appeal to children where they are, not where we would like them to be" (Schmidt). Meaning kids ages five should not be putting make up on that the dolls promote in their books. There was even a fashion Bratz video game being sold in the Scholastic that thought fashion tips to little girls, such as ages five and above.

 

 

 

Canada schools have also banned Yertle the Turtle by Dr.Seuss, published in 1958.  This occurred because the quote Yertle the Turtle was seen to be a “political statement”.  

 

Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H Lawrence was banned in Canada for about 30 years because it used “obscene language” and for many other reasons. “The story (an affair between a working class man and an upper class woman), some sex scenes, and some specific words were all considered offensive”( Timothy).  But in 1960 the “novel was not obscene according to the Canadian Criminal Code^”.

I’m surprised to see that these books have been censored here in Canada.  I guess back in the days the censorship laws might have been different because today we are all really open to read or see things at such a young age. I do find it necessary to ban the Bratz books from the scholastic because it does not really teach kids the knowledge of the real fashion world. It is based on the basics such as makeup and clothes, but little girls age five do not need to learn about makeup and high fashioned clothing tips. Scholastic books are usually chosen by parents so even if it was not banned, it would be parents’ choice to let the child purchase the Bratz books or not.

I went to the public library to ask information about challenged books and the librarian gave me a list of books that have been partially banned or censored in Canada. But I was unable to find some good information about them through my research on the internet. Based on what the librarian said, did you know that Harry Potter was partially banned in Canada? This occurred because the whole witchcraft theme went against the Christian faith. Also a children’s book called Tango Malus Three was banned because it talked about two male penguins taking care of their adopted penguin. It was banned because children should not be learning about the whole gay pride topic at such a young age. 

 

 

       Do you think it is okay to censor books if they cross their limits and are obscene, such as the ones listed above?

 

 

 REFERENCE

        Ray, Timothy. Lady Chatterle'ys Lover . N.p., 10 2010. Web. 26 Oct 2012.< http://www.censorshipincanada.ca/2010/11/lady-chatterleys-lover.html>.

Schmidt, Sarah . "Bratz books banned from Scholastic sales." . The Calgary Herald 2008. Web. 26 Oct 2012.

Canadian School Bans Dr. Seuss’ Yertle The Turtle. N.p., 26 2012. Web. 26 Oct 2012. <http://www.themarysue.com/yertle-the-turtle-banned/>.

 

. On the Subject of Lady Chatterle'ys Lover and banned books. N.p., 24 2011. Web. 11 Oct 2012. <http://magicbulletin.me/2011/04/on-the-subject-of-lady-chatterleys-lover-and-banned-books/>.

 

Yertle the Turtle Banned For Being 'Too Political'. N.p., 25 2012. Web.

 

. Lady Chatterle'ys Lover. 1999-2012 GradeSaver LLC. Web. 11Oct 2012. <http://www.gradesaver.com/lady-chatterleys-lover/wikipedia/controversy/>.