Was a cute way to explain why banning books doesn’t make sense when you think about the point of books.

Just ordered pizza! How many pictures books can my wife and I read before it arrives? Here's #5 -- and here's the pizza! Pizza delivery takes five picture books!

I LOVE the sentiment of this book: book bans are inherently evil and short-sighted.

But the execution here is a bit of a jumbled mess that doesn't lend itself to reading aloud in a satisfying way. ( )

"What the heck is a banned book anyway? It's when one group of people decides that no one should be allowed to read a certain book, and they try to remove that book from libraries and schools..."

Haldar takes the premise of book banning to its logical conclusion, getting rid of books on giraffes, then hippos, dinosaurs, even regular old beds. Eventually, EVERYTHING is banned, even the ending of the book!

Makes an important point in a humorous way.

Note on the back endpaper: "We don't want our books to disappear (like the ending to this one did!). Just keep reading and sharing books - and remember, even if a book isn't for you, it could still be perfect for someone else." ( )

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. ( )

Raj Haldar's new book is a tongue-in-cheek first lesson for children about book banning. Items banned in the book are giraffes, unicorns, even beds! The illustrations by Julia Patton are charmingly comedic. Whatever one's views are on book banning, this story suggests some of the absurdity that has or could result from severe limitations put on what books may be read by whom. This is a simple picture book that children will enjoy, but one that will begin an education about the subject. Reading this story with your child will trigger questions, starting an honest conversation about the banning of books. A lovely, important book! ( )