“Once Upon a Ban: A Conversation with Charlotte Sullivan Wild, Author of Love, Violet”
Crumpled paper background in rosy violet. White box with text and hand-drawn pink and red hearts, photo of the author smiling, leaning with arms on her knees, with longe, dark blonde, wavy hair, wine red dress and scarf.
We heard the oral arguments of #MahmoudvTaylor at SCOTUS this week. Even after the shocking mischaracterizations several justices made of our books (we want to believe they read them but…?), I was most struck by what seemed forgotten in this conversation: actual children, especially LGBTQ+ children and children from LGBTQ+ families.
As the lawyer for the plaintiffs told Justice Thomas, their case is focused the rights of six parents–not children. And not children’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights to free speech and learning, freedom from religion-based oppression, and equal protection.
So today I’m extra thankful to #OnceUponABan for this conversation that returns us to the heart of the matter.
Quotation from an Interview with Once Upon a Ban. “What if children could grow up with ordinary, realistic images of Q+ people? Children might feel kindness is normal, rather than bullying. And Q+ children could see themselves, from the beginning, as not alone.”
Inclusive books have the power to help children see each other and feel less alone. Stories can help us imagine a more loving, accepting world, one with room for religion and LGBTQ+ people.
Image from #OnceUponABan: On white-gray marble table, the picture book “Love, Violet” beside pink and purple markers, scissors, pink paper scraps, and a handmade pink heart valentine reading: “For Mira, Love Violet”
Thanks for reading! As always, thanks to Charlene Chua for the gorgeous book art (c) 2022 and to FSG-BYR and Macmillan Kids Books for bringing Love, Violet into the world!
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