A children’s author says he was not allowed to read his book about a proud, colorful unicorn of a group of students in Ohio because the school board thought it would “recruit children to become gay.”
Jason Tarp says he was shocked when he was told he couldn’t read or mention that it was good to be a unicorn during a visit to Buckeye Valley West Elementary School in Ostrander, Ohio. month.
The book follows the story of Cornelius, a unicorn who hides his identity by wearing hats because he lives in a city full of horses. Eventually, he learns to embrace who he really is and is welcomed and supported by his friends and community.
“This book has been out for two years. “I’ve read it to thousands of children and I’ve been to a lot of schools, and it’s never happened to me,” Tarp told As It Happens host Dave Seglins.
“It’s not my job to protect adults who project their insecurity on a children’s book that is [about] unicorns, rainbows and magic. “
Complaint from a parent
Tarp’s visit to the school was originally scheduled for 2020, but was postponed due to the pandemic.
In preparation for his arrival, students decorated the school with art made from Tarp’s characters, and school administrators purchased 500 copies of his books, including It’s Good to Be a Unicorn.
But the morning before Tarp’s scheduled appearance on April 7, he said he received a call from the school’s principal warning him that there had been a change in plans.
“It was very clear from the beginning … that it didn’t come from him. It was coming from above [he was] I’m just a messenger, “Tarp said.
“And I interrupted him a little bit because I think it was hard for him to say, and I said, ‘Does anyone think I made a book about gays?'” Tarp said.
He said the principal had informed him that a parent had complained about the book.
“From what I was told, it was unicorns and rainbows, and I was on the agenda to recruit children to become gay,” Tarp said.
I don’t think you will make children not want to read. They will always be curious. – Jason Tarp, author of children’s books
Tarp says he suggested reading another of his books, “It’s Good to Smell Good!” About a skunk who stands out because he loves good-smelling things.
But the school board also rejected the idea. In an email the CBC saw, the board asked Tarp to “refuse” to read and instead “continue to focus on your positive message and illustrations.”
Jeremy Frölich, the school’s interim head of staff, did not respond to a request for comment from As It Happens. But he told WBNS that one parent complained about the book on April 6.
“Widespread efforts to censor books”
Tarp is not the only children’s author whose work has been questioned recently.
In November, The American Library Association issued a press release condemning what he called “widespread efforts to censor books” across the country, noting that school and library books are being challenged with “unprecedented speed”.
In March, was fired as assistant director in Mississippi after I read to the students a humorous children’s book called I need a new ass.
Meanwhile, Florida and several other states have passed or proposed laws restriction of content in schools regarding sexual orientation, gender and critical racial theory.
Toby Price, a former assistant principal at Gary Road Elementary School in Hinds County, Miss., Was fired for reading one of his favorite children’s books, I Need a New Ass. (Submitted by Toby Price)
Tarp said being good about being a unicorn is his way of reaching out to children who feel different and teaching them to be themselves.
He said it was actually his own story of growing up with big dreams in a small town.
The book is not intended to be a metaphor for sexual orientation or gender identity, but Tarp said he “absolutely” understands why an LGBTQ child would identify with the unicorn Cornelius.
“But also a child in a wheelchair, a child with a broken arm and a child who feels different, a child with a strange name or a child wearing glasses,” he said.
“Like all these kids are unicorns, aren’t they? Everyone feels different. And that was the mission of the book.”
Student art is down
Several parents and teachers in Buckeye spoke in defense of Tarp during a meeting on April 8 an extraordinary meeting of the school board, which was broadcast on YouTube.
Kaylan Brazelton, a parent and teacher at the school, complains that teachers have been forced to download drawings of unicorns and rainbows created by students. She said it was “shocking” because the students were “so confused”.
“This book was about making students feel and know that they always have a place in the world. Always, no matter how strange they feel. “We wanted them to know that being weird is good because it’s true,” she said.
Another woman, whose name is not recorded, noted that the students “worked so hard” on their drawings.
“This is a public school. All spheres of life pay taxes. All spheres of life must be represented,” she said.
Tarp says a supporter sent these before and after photos to a window at Buckeye Valley West Elementary School. The window on the left is decorated with children’s drawings of the unicorn Cornelius. On the right, the drawings of unicorns are replaced by characters from Tarp’s other books. (Submitted by Jason Tarp)
Nevertheless, Tarp still showed up to the event because he didn’t want to disappoint the children. He made a presentation, but without reading, and did not refer to “It’s good to be a unicorn.”
He says the crisis could have been prevented if the parent had simply approached him for a conversation.
He says he plans to continue writing books that help children feel accepted and loved.
“The best thing about it is that I don’t think you will make children not want to read. They will always be curious, “he said.
“And for me, that’s where the magic lies. They may be present. We can not. Adults like to spoil this for children. I think adults could learn a lot from children if they just, you know, sit back, shut up and listen. “
Written by Sheena Goodyear. Interview with Jason Tarp, produced by Chris Harbard.
Add Comment