Once Upon a Ban
@onceuponaban.bsky.social
We're a newsletter that covers attempts to censor children’s picture books around the country. Part journalism, part book club, we talk to activists and authors about the freedom to read. https://www.onceuponaban.com
What is it about boys and pink that sets people off? It’s not just colors. Stepping outside of any stereotypical gender norm seems to get books challenged. This week we're highlighting a few incredible children's books that dare to think beyond pink and share a message of acceptance. #freedomtoread
Why are people so afraid of pink?
My Shadow is Pink gets pulled into controversy.
onceuponaban.com
Are parents really behind book bans? We asked @txfreedomread.bsky.social for their thoughts. 🤔 #freedomtoread #bannedbooks
We're excited to share our latest newsletter featuring @txfreedomread.bsky.social! We had the opportunity to chat with them about SB 13 and how we can all stand up to censorship in our communities. Check it out! #freedomtoread #ireadbannedbooks
Don't Mess With Texas Libraries
The Texas Freedom to Read Project shares what to expect with SB 13 and how to stand up to censorship in your community.
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Coming Wednesday! We can't wait to share our conversation with @txfreedomread.bsky.social. From SB 13 to how parents can protect the freedom to read in their communities, there's a lot to cover! Visit www.onceuponaban.com to sign up to get this week's newsletter. #freedomtoread #bannedbooks
What started as a complaint over a Pride display has turned into a multi-year debate over the future of the Fontana Regional Library System. Residents are organizing to protect their library so it stays the way it has always been, a true community center. #freedomtoread #bannedbooks #savethefrl
Library at Risk Over Pride Display
In North Carolina, Jackson County residents rally to protect the future of their library.
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Last Sunday our community came together to Turn the Page and celebrate the #freedomtoread! Thank you to everyone who joined us and we hope to Turn the Page again soon! #ireadbannedbooks
Hey Orange County! Free this Sunday? Join us for our summer reading event in paternship with @wave4all.bsky.social. We’ll have storytime with community leaders, a book fair with a local bookstore, crafts and more! RSVP encouraged but not required. #orangecounty #missionviejo #ocevents
We can still save the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Here's a practical guide to what to do right now to save not just the agency's funding but its future all together: bookriot.com/we-can-still...
We Can Still Save the Institute for Museum and Library Services
Act now to help save the Institute for Museum and Library Services and ensure the well-being of public libraries nationwide.
bookriot.com
We decided it was time to introduce ourselves. 👋 www.onceuponaban.com/p/introducin...
Introducing Ourselves
After six months, we felt it was finally time to share why we're here.
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Three banned children’s picture books to add to your TBR list this holiday weekend. #letfreedomread #freedomtoread #ireadbannedbooks
Incoming transmission... July's featured book has landed! Written by @underwoodwriter.bsky.social and illustrated by @meghunt.bsky.social, Interstellar Cinderella is the story of a smart, independent heroine and it was banned by the DoD. Check out our interview with the author! #kidlit #bannedbooks
Interstellar Cinderella Quarantined
Author Deborah Underwood shares why censorship won't stop her from creating empowering characters for young readers.
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With the Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling last week, many of us are left wondering what’s next. We checked back in with author @cswild.bsky.social to get her take on the ruling and where we go from here. #freedomtoread #weneeddiversebooks #kidlit #lgbtqkidlit
I Joyfully Dissent
Author Charlotte Sullivan Wild shares her response to the Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling and where we go from here.
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With the Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling last week, many of us are left wondering what’s next. We checked back in with author @cswild.bsky.social to get her take on the ruling and where we go from here. #freedomtoread #weneeddiversebooks #kidlit #lgbtqkidlit
I Joyfully Dissent
Author Charlotte Sullivan Wild shares her response to the Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling and where we go from here.
onceuponaban.com
Sharing some thoughts. #freedomtoread #weneeddiversebooks
Hey Southern California! Free on July 13th? We’re excited to share that we're partnering with @wave4all.bsky.social on a summer reading event to celebrate the freedom to read! We'll have storytime with community leaders, crafts and so much more. Join us for an afternoon of summer fun and community!
The @rainbowdefense.bsky.social (RDC) brings together volunteers to create a physical barrier from protestors so families in the DMV area can safely attend Drag Queen Story Hours. Link in bio to read our interview and learn how you can support their efforts. Photo credit @robinfader.bsky.social
When the rise in censorship begins to feel overwhelming, we like to take a page out of Mr. Rogers’ book and look for the helpers. We’re excited to introduce you to @rainbowdefense.bsky.social and Books Not Bans, two organizations that are working to ensure LGBTQ+ stories remain accessible.
Finding the Helpers
The Rainbow Defense Coalition and Books Not Bans work to ensure LGBTQ+ stories remain accessible.
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This month's book is Molly's Tuxedo by @vickijohnsonwrites.bsky.social. Johnson shared more with us about her love for reading and what inspired her to write Molly's Tuxedo. Link in bio to read our interview.
The votes have been counted and the people of Huntington Beach delivered a resounding victory for the freedom to read on Tuesday night. We caught up with Carol Daus, a representative of Our Library Matters, to get her perspective on the win. #freedomtoread
Victory in Huntington Beach
Our Library Matters stood up to censorship and won.
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Residents are heading to the polls this Tuesday to vote on two measures about the library. It’s not too late to catch up on what is happening in Huntington Beach! linktr.ee/onceuponaban
Happy Pride! This month (and every month) we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, authors, and illustrators who bring stories to life. We believe representation in stories matters and we stand with you.
For #whatimreadingwednesday our family is reading Molly’s Tuxedo by @vickijohnsonwrites.bsky.social. It’s picture day at school and Molly is excited. There’s just one problem, her mom insists she wears a dress when Molly wants to wear her brother’s old tuxedo instead. What will Molly do? #kidlit
The Huntington Beach City Council says there is explicit material in the children’s library, so we asked parents what their children checked out. #freedomtoread #libraries #bannedbooks
Our featured book for June is Molly's Tuxedo by @vickijohnsonwrites.bsky.social! We had a chance to speak with Johnson about her experience with soft censorship, what motivates her to keep writing, and her upcoming book Mac Wears a Hat. Check it out! #freedomtoread #softcensorship #kidlit
Molly's Tuxedo and Soft Censorship
An Interview with author Vicki Johnson
onceuponaban.com
With the special election days away, supporters of the Huntington Beach Public Library have been staging read-ins to bring awareness to the campaign. We stopped by to ask what the library means to them. #freedomtoread #bannedbooks
We're kicking off our summer reading challenge and sharing what our family is reading. This week it's books by @rajanilarocca.bsky.social including Your One and Only Heart, Summer is for Cousins and her newest book Some of Us! What is your family reading? #summerreading #bannedbooks #kidlit
You're invited to join our summer reading challenge focused on banned books! Read 20 banned children's picture books OR 1,000 pages of banned books for any age. Link below to get our challenge tracker and lists of banned books to get you started. #ireadbannedbooks #summerreadingchallenge
Join Our Summer Reading Challenge
It's a banned book summer. Read along with us!
onceuponaban.com
