Banned Books

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

This time on The Children’s Hour, our summer interns Julia Wolfe and Sophie Anderson-Haynie have co-written and produced a program about Banned Books. They teach us what that means, the history of banning books, and how it’s even possible in the era of digital reading.

We also learn about something that’s being talked about a lot in the news, and is being used as a reason to ban books: Critical Race Theory. Julia and Sophie read us a book that is being banned in some schools because a few people think it teaches this college-level theory by telling the story the real-life Ruby Bridges. Listeners can decide for themselves.

The book tells about an historic moment in American history through Ruby’s 6 year old eyes for a second grade level reader. The book was originally published in 2009 by Cartwheel Books, and today can be found as a Scholastic Reader! in many languages.

Banned Books Week is celebrated every year the last full week of September. This year, that’s September 18 – 24, 2022. You can learn more about what children’s books are the top 10 banned children’s books of 2021, and why.

For a limited time, American teenagers ages 13 to 21 can get a free, unlimited library membership to the Brooklyn Public Library to check out digital books, as part of their National Teen BPL Card program. Learn more and sign up by clicking here!

We play an excellent mix of music in celebration of reading.

titleartistalbumlabelduration
I'm Gonna Read (500 Books)Turtle Dance MusicAdd to the World2019 Autism Friendly Records02:03
The Transit of VenusUS Marine Band & Lieutenant Colonel Jack T. KlineThe Heritage of John Philip Sousa: Volume 72011 The Robert Hoe Foundation00:55
God Bless My UnderwearHans MayerSee You Later Alligator2010 Myther Music01:41
Stately ShadowsBlue Dot SessionsDuck Lake2018 Blue Dot Sessions01:22
Favorite BookThe BazillionsOn the Bright Side2015 Adam Marshall02:38
The World Is Big, The World Is SmallPete SeegercELLAbration2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings01:47
Gentle ChasePodington BearBackground2014 HUSH01:25
I'll Keep Reading My BookFolk Club KidsFolk Club Kids2021 Folk Club Kids02:38
Or So I Have ReadThey Might Be Giants (For Kids)Why?2015 Idlewild Recordings02:13
Sun NationKetsasingle2020 Ketsa Reiki Music01:17
If Ya Don't Like Science (That's Fine)The Deedle Deedle DeesHow to Fix America2021 Lloyd H. Miller04:07
P Flunked FunkPodington BearThe Box Set2008 HUSH01:54
In a BookAaron Nigel Smith & One World ChorusWelcome to the Village!2012 Aya World Productions01:44
Simple ValeBlue Dot SessionsCauldron2018 Blue Dot Sessions02:13
Read a Book (Converging Song) [feat. Billy Jonas]Two of a KindSing Me Your Story2012 Two of a Kind01:37
BookwormCaspar BabypantsKeep It Real!2018 Aurora Elephant Music02:10
BooksEloise GreenfieldHip Hop Speaks to Children2008 Sourcebooks Explore; HAR/COM edition00:41
One Tribe1 Tribe CollectiveAll One Tribe2021 Aya World Productions03:46
Rose ParadeM.K.SolNight's Edge2021 M.K.Sol01:48
ReadKatie Dwyer MusicMusic Makes Me Happy2020 Katie Dwyer Music01:30
Soul BlessKetsaMicrocosm2020 Dominic Giam00:31
Drenched With SorrowAudiobingerOpen Road Music Vol 12015 Audiobinger00:17
P Flunked FunkPodington BearThe Box Set2008 HUSH00:33
Slow Line StompBlue Dot SessionsUnion Hall2019 Blue Dot Sessions00:32
HummingCrowanderSweet and Joyful2019 Crowander00:38
Peace WithinPeter RudenkoInner Mechanics2015 Peter Rudenko00:44
Slow DialBlue Dot SessionsCauldron2018 Blue Dot Sessions00:58
The Book I'm Not ReadingPatty LarkinA Gogo2006 Vanguard Records03:58
Love to ReadMister GThe Bossy E2014 Mister G02:19
Can I Talk to You?Podington BearThe Box Set2008 HUSH01:12
Read a BookThe Schmooney & FriendsThe Schmooney & Friends Music Show2007 Muse02:35