This Book is Banned: A Delightfully Silly Picture Book from the Author of P is for Pterodactyl. Raj Haldar. Illustrated by Julia Patton. 2023. [September] 40 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: Oh no! Didn't you read the title before you decided to open this book?! It's B-A-N-N-E-D. That means NOBODY! should read it. I mean, just look at what's on the next page....GIRAFFES! What do you mean, "So what?" The hippos over here really don't like how those tall giraffes are getting all the leaves for themselves. OK, no more giraffes. BANNED! And you think these hippos complain too much? Let's get rid of them too.
Premise/plot: This Book is Banned is written in the second person and is directed to YOU, the reader. Of course, the author keeps reminding you--the persistent reader--that you really shouldn't be reading this banned book. But stubborn YOU keep turning the pages.
My thoughts: Is it silly? Yes. Is it delightful? Somewhat. Does it address a serious subject in a silly way? YES. Should serious subjects be a laughing matter? Maybe. Maybe not. Does it oversimplify the subject of book banning? Yes. I think so. It is a silly introduction but a shallow introduction. It makes the most incredible over-the-top ridiculous things get banned--giraffes, hippos, dinosaurs, etc.--and for the most absurd reasons. It is a caricature of book banners and banned books. Does the humor make up for it? Possibly.
© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers
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