CHICAGO (AP) — As the new school year swings into gear, some students carry heavier worries than keeping up with homework: Demand has been growing steadily for children's books that address traumatic events such as school shootings.
Demand for picture books explaining traumatic events such as school shootings has grown dramatically, according to publishers. Experts say these books can help kids process their feelings. Using picture books and puppets, Ian Ellis James, known by his stage name "Electric," works with children on gun violence prevention in New York City. "If I could just use a puppet, if I can write some books, if I can use some songs and then go out and start with a five year old, six year old... I think I can change behavior, so that's the strategy," James, an Emmy award-winning Sesame Street writer, said. As anxiety and depression rates rise among young Americans experts say demand for resources like children's books dealing with trauma are also increasing.
People are also reading…
These were the top 10 books people wanted removed from schools and libraries in 2021
1. 'Gender Queer' by Maia Kobabe
Reasons for challenge, according to the ALA: Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images.
Find it on Amazon.
2. 'Lawn Boy' by Jonathan Evison
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
Find it on Amazon.
3. 'All Boys Aren’t Blue' by George M. Johnson
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and profanity and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
Find it on Amazon.
4. 'Out of Darkness' by Ashley Hope Perez
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for depictions of abuse and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
Find it on Amazon.
5. 'The Hate U Give' by Angie Thomas
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity and violence and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda
Find it on Amazon.
6. 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and use of a derogatory term.
Find it on Amazon.
7. 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' by Jesse Andrews
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and degrading to women.
Find it on Amazon.
8. 'The Bluest Eye' by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit.
Find it on Amazon.
10. 'Beyond Magenta' by Susan Kuklin
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
Find it on Amazon.
1. 'Gender Queer' by Maia Kobabe
Reasons for challenge, according to the ALA: Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images.
Find it on Amazon.
2. 'Lawn Boy' by Jonathan Evison
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
Find it on Amazon.
3. 'All Boys Aren’t Blue' by George M. Johnson
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and profanity and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
Find it on Amazon.
4. 'Out of Darkness' by Ashley Hope Perez
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for depictions of abuse and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
Find it on Amazon.
5. 'The Hate U Give' by Angie Thomas
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity and violence and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda
Find it on Amazon.
6. 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and use of a derogatory term.
Find it on Amazon.
7. 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' by Jesse Andrews
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and degrading to women.
Find it on Amazon.
8. 'The Bluest Eye' by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit.
Find it on Amazon.
9. 'This Book is Gay' by Juno Dawson
Reasons: Banned, challenged, relocated, and restricted for providing sex education and LGBTQIA+ content.
Find it on Amazon.
10. 'Beyond Magenta' by Susan Kuklin
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
Find it on Amazon.
Claire Savage is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Savage on Twitter at https://twitter.com/c_thesavage.
