One of the best-selling books in the Arthur children’s book series, which was subsequently made into an enduringly popular TV series, may be banned in Florida as a result of a complaint that it “harmed souls.”
Yes, it’s true—the beloved, imaginary Arthur the aardvark of your youth has been charged with being so unsuitable for children that one of his books ought to be taken off the shelf.
The Arthur series, which was first written by author Marc Brown in the 1970s, today includes around 50 novels, ranging from Arthur Meets the President to Arthur’s Reading Race, and has more than 60 million copies sold in the US alone.
Although Brown expressed optimism last year that the well-liked character may potentially make a reappearance on the big screen, Arthur the TV programme only lasted a mammoth 25 seasons, all the way up to 2022, appearing in both the US on PBS and the UK on CBBC.
But Arthur’s Birthday, which was first released in 1989, is the one causing a stir.
around July 12, a single parent from Green Cove Springs, Florida, who is also a part of the Clay County School District filed a complaint against the book. The complaint centres around Arthur learning that his birthday coincides with one of his classmates’ birthday celebrations.
A glass bottle with the words “Francine’s Spin the Bottle Game” written on it is given to Arthur as a gift as part of the plot; it is this aspect of the book that enraged dad Bruce Friedman.
Mr Friedman – who filed at least eight book challenges this month to the school district, according to official documentation seen by The Daily Beast – stated that his reason for requesting a ban was to ‘protect children’.
‘It is not appropriate to discuss ‘spin the bottle’ with elementary school children,’ he wrote on the form in capital letters.
‘This book is found in all/almost all [district schools]!’ he added.
When asked what was specifically ‘objectionable’ about the material, Mr Friedman indicated he had attached additional material before doubling down on his view that ‘’spin the bottle’ [is] not okay for K-5 kids!’.
The parent had photocopied a page from the book which shows Francine responding to Arthur inviting her to his party with: ‘Oh boy, we can play spin the bottle!’
K-5, or kindergarten through fifth grade, is how Americans refer to the education of children aged five to eleven; this is comparable to primary school education in the UK.
When asked to guess what might happen if a student were to ‘use the material’ he was protesting against, Mr Friedman simply wrote: ‘Damaged souls.’
He also insisted that it was appropriate for no other age group and when asked if there was anything good in the material, brutally responded with ‘N/A’ [not applicable].
In a statement to the publication, district spokesperson Terri Dennis said that Arthur’s Birthday was among 45 challenged titles currently ‘pending oversight committee review’.
No Left Turn in Education, a right-wing organisation that strives to “establish parental function in public education” and advocates against critical race theory as well as comprehensive sexuality education, has Mr. Friedman as its president for the state of Florida.
According to a body of thought known as “critical race theory,” systemic racism exists in American culture on a larger scale than individual bias and prejudice. It may be seen, for instance, in the country’s laws and judicial systems.
Instead than focusing just on abstinence, comprehensive sexuality education teaches a wide range of sexual education topics, such as STIs, contraception, and abortion.
Source My Celebrity Life.
