Freedom to Read

1999—This book was removed from an Edmonton school when a library technician told the principal that the book was unsuitable because it deals with hell. The book was choosen by a teacher from the Edmonton Public School Board’s Best of the Best list.

Update— The decision was appealed but the principal announced that the decision was final and that children could borrow the book from the public library.

1997—This Canadian picture book, written for children in kindergarten and Grade 1, was banned from use in public schools in Surrey (BC). When banning this book, the board announced that it would not approve any materials drawn from resource lists submitted by the Gay and Lesbian Educators (GALE) of British Columbia. Parents, teachers, and students launched a lawsuit against the school board.The board said the book promoted a homosexual lifestyle—though the words “gay,” “lesbian,” and “homosexual” are not used in the book.

Update—In December 2002, the Supreme Court of Canada declared that the school board was wrong to ban books depicting homosexual parents in a positive light from elementary classrooms. The B.C. School Act, the court said, requires public schools to be secular, pluralistic and respectful of diversity.

This book has been frequently challenged across North America since its publication. Reasons include:
- Max is sent to bed without supper. Some people have found this to be unacceptably cruel
- Max throws a tantrum.
- It gives children nightmares
- It has subversive psychoanalytic overtones