3Thu-3C-6a: The Best of Banned and Vulnerable Children’s Picture Books
Class | Registration opens 7/28/25 10:00 AM
This participatory, hands-on, in-person course will examine and discuss picture books that have already been banned or are vulnerable to future censorship. We will try to understand the who, what, why and how of book banning and will consider first amendment rights and controversies. Specifically, we will examine picture books that discuss democracy, immigration, black history and characters, and the many stories that are targeted because they challenge static or outdated concepts of family structure.
Each week, participants in small groups will read children’s picture books provided by the instructor, and we will then discuss. Prep time will be about an hour each week.
Please note that the last class is during the break week.
Anna Markus
I have spent my career balancing my love of literature with my love of psychology and investigating how the two interact. I have always been interested in progressive education, in reading and evaluating good literature, and in understanding the important issues in children’s literature. I have a BA in literature and psychology from Smith, and an MA and EdD from UMASS. I am also a licensed therapist and the co-author of “For Love of Reading.” I have taught at Goddard College, Smith, Mt. Holyoke, and UMASS Graduate School of Education.