In honor of Banned Books Week, every night this week, my daughter Olivia (age 3) and I are going to celebrate our intellectual freedom by reading a frequently banned or challenged book at bedtime to see if we can get to the bottom of what all the fuss is about.
Our first selection was In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak.
It ranked 25th place on the "100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000" list compiled by the American Library Association primarily because of it's depiction of the protagonist, a toddler named Mickey, in the nude.
Our first selection was In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak.
It ranked 25th place on the "100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000" list compiled by the American Library Association primarily because of it's depiction of the protagonist, a toddler named Mickey, in the nude.
Over the years some librarians took it upon themselves to paint a diaper on Mickey, while others felt burning the book itself was a more effective form of censorship.
The book, a 1971 Caldecott recipient, is a beautifully illustrated fantasy that is perfect for ushering your little ones off into dreamland. Inspired by the Little Nemo comic strips of the early 20th Century and Sendak's fascination with Disney and Mickey Mouse in particular, the format is similar to that of a comic book, using sequential art and speech balloons to tell the story of Mickey's dreamy adventures in the Night Kitchen.
So the question is, is this book appropriate for children?
Absolutely.
Anyone too uptight to share this book with their child based on mild nudity is depriving them of the experience of a truly wonderful work of art. My daughter thought it was "a really great book" and she was fascinated by the vibrant illustrations that jumped off the page and drew her into the magical world of Mickey's imagination.
You can watch animator Gene Deitch's faithful 1987 adaptation here:
So the question is, is this book appropriate for children?
Absolutely.
Anyone too uptight to share this book with their child based on mild nudity is depriving them of the experience of a truly wonderful work of art. My daughter thought it was "a really great book" and she was fascinated by the vibrant illustrations that jumped off the page and drew her into the magical world of Mickey's imagination.
You can watch animator Gene Deitch's faithful 1987 adaptation here:
Yes, Mickey is shown naked, including (GASP!) his penis, but his anatomy is depicted tastefully and discreetly. In fact, while reading the book last night, Olivia did not even seem to notice it. And even if she had, it would have been an opportunity for us to discuss the difference between girls and boys, not something to be embarrassed about or shy away from.
Some extremists have even suggested that the milky white imagery and so-called "phallic" milk jug represent a manifestation of Sendak's homosexuality. But in my opinion, there is nothing inherently sexual here, and any adults who perceive such overtones are certainly projecting them on it themselves.
And as far as a young child's interpretation of the book, who can relate to the fun of running around naked more than a toddler? My daughter is three and she thinks being naked is hysterical.
In fact she's probably at home doing "The Naked Dance" right now.
Banned Books Week
Celebrating the freedom to read: September 27th to October 3rd, 2015
For more information: http://www.bannedbooksweek.org
Some extremists have even suggested that the milky white imagery and so-called "phallic" milk jug represent a manifestation of Sendak's homosexuality. But in my opinion, there is nothing inherently sexual here, and any adults who perceive such overtones are certainly projecting them on it themselves.
And as far as a young child's interpretation of the book, who can relate to the fun of running around naked more than a toddler? My daughter is three and she thinks being naked is hysterical.
In fact she's probably at home doing "The Naked Dance" right now.
Banned Books Week
Celebrating the freedom to read: September 27th to October 3rd, 2015
For more information: http://www.bannedbooksweek.org
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