When I was studying for my Masters in Reading and Language Arts I took a fascination in Picture Books not only because I knew that someday I would be a mother but also because I loved using them in my middle school classroom. I used Rose Blanche when we read Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, and The Other Side when we read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry . My students loved the analysis and the change of pace.
It is obvious that some of the most controversial picture books were not originally created for children’s eyes …read more

This week marks the 26th Annual Banned Book Week (September 29 – October 6). According to the American Library Association (ALA), more than a book a day is challenged as unsuitable for public access in schools and libraries. During Banned Book Week, thousands of libraries and bookstores throughout the nation will celebrate the freedom to read.

And Tango Makes Three, a book about two male penguins parenting an egg topped the ALA’s list of most challenged books in 2006 by parents and administrators, due to homosexual themes. In fact, four of the top ten books were challenged due to homosexual …read more