Candice McPherson

FREC 7232
Summer 2009

Reflection on Picture Books and Controversy

Controversy is inescapable, it seems. Someone is always going to be offended or

shocked by one thing or another. So it is in the literary world, even when it comes to

picture books. Of course, the most controversial books are the ones that address issues of

diversity, whether it touches on the subject of race, politics, religion, or sexual

preference.

I would like to say I’m above it all, and to each his own, et cetera, et cetera, but I am

no different than anyone else. I, too, have my own opinions when it comes to certain

issues. I found myself cringing as I read the beginning of the article, “Diversity Breeds

Controversy” because it just seems to me that young children don’t need to be exposed to

some topics when they are so young. I wouldn’t have wanted my children to read picture

books of gay/lesbian family life, because that goes against my views. However, that is

my opinion and I don’t feel it is my place to tell other parents what is okay and not okay

for their children to read. And I certainly wouldn’t want anyone else to tell me what is

right for my family. And “therein lies the rub.” Some people think that they should be

dictating what is acceptable and what is taboo for all of us. I say, let the parents decide

what’s right for their own children.

Another article I read entitled, “Roots That Go Beyond Big Hair and a Bad Hair Day:

Nappy Hair Pieces,” by Neal A. Lester discusses the controversy over the book, “Nappy
Hair,” by Carolivia Herron. To many African-American adults, this book has negative

connotations, although the author, who is black, was not trying to be demeaning.

Children, however, seem to love the book. The thing that really bothers me, though, is

the fact that the biggest controversy stemming from this book was due to a white teacher

reading the book to her class of African-American and Hispanic students. Although the

third-grade students enjoyed it to the point of wanting copies to take home, the black

parents raised such a fuss that the teacher felt so threatened she had to transfer to another

school. It’s sad to me that even in this day and age, we allow issues such as this to push

our buttons.

Other books that may spark controversy are books with nudity. I, myself, as an art

teacher in an elementary school, find it difficult to allow access to some of the picture

books on artists that I have in my classroom because of the nudity. For one thing, kids

tend to make a big deal out of nudity, whether it is a baby’s bottom or a scantily clad

woman. I choose to stay away from pictures that can lead to classroom disruption.

Secondly, I’ve been especially gun-shy since an art teacher in Texas actually lost her job

for taking her students to an art museum where some art was on display that included

nudity.

I don’t see controversy going away any time soon. As long as diversity exists, so shall

controversy. The issues may change with the times, but there will always be issues about

which to argue. I only hope that sometime in the future we can more amicably “agree to

disagree.”
References:

op de Beeck, N. (2005, April 25). Diversity Breeds Controversy. Publishers Weekly,

252(17), 32-33. Retrieved June 19, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.

Lester, N. (1999, September). Roots That Go Beyond Big Hair and a Bad Hair Day:

Nappy Hair Pieces. Children's Literature in Education, 30(3), 171-183. Retrieved June

19, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.