Mae Among the Stars tells the story of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel into space. This picture book highlights how Mae’s curiosity and determination paved the way for her trailblazing success at NASA. Reading this book helps build foundational literacy skills like word recognition, vocabulary, and reasoning. Importantly, this storybook offers children, especially girls of color, an opportunity to identify with STEM experiences and careers, inspiring them (literally) to reach for the stars.
Mae Among the Stars is a beloved book in Tandem’s collection: children bring this book home to share with their families; our staff members read this book aloud in classrooms, libraries, and childcare centers; and it is featured on a number of our book lists. It is also one of the 317 picture books that has been banned or challenged. It has been characterized as ‘divisive,’ ‘racist,’ and ‘socialist,’ and as ‘a book that will not help our children.’ Like the other titles listed below, it is one of the hundreds of books that has been requested to be removed from classrooms and libraries.
Book bans are growing at an alarming rate and have a negative impact. They restrict access to books that speak to a diverse group of children, decrease reading engagement, and discourage critical thinking. However, adding these books to home and classroom libraries has been shown to increase children’s enjoyment of reading, the time they spend reading, and their reading scores on standardized tests.
Many of the most-banned picture books are in Tandem’s collection, which includes titles in over 26 languages, focuses on creators of color, and prioritizes titles featuring diversity across race, gender identity, disability representation, and family structures.
Below, you’ll find a few more banned or challenged books that are a part of Tandem’s collection! We encourage you to add these titles to your reading list.
A is for Activist
Written and Illustrated by Innosanto Nagara
This ABC board book is for families who want their children to grow up in a space that is unapologetic about activism, environmental justice, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and everything else that activists believe in and fight for. The alliteration, rhyming, and vibrant illustrations are engaging for children, while the issues resonate with families’ values of community, equality, and justice. This may be a little book but it has huge messages for grownups and kids alike!
Bye Bye Binary
Written by Eric Geron
Illustrated by Charlene Chua
A joyful baby refuses to conform to the gender binary and instead chooses toys, colors, and clothes that make them happy. This board book is a perfect tool for encouraging children to love what they love, and for families to love their children just as they are and for who they are.
Love in the Library
Written by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Illustrated by Yas Imamura
Set in Minidoka, a war relocation camp in the desert, this book tells the true story of how the author’s grandparents met and fell in love in the library. The book also includes a photo of the real Tama and George along with an afterword and other back matter for readers to learn more about a time in US history that followed the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Love Makes A Family
Written and Illustrated by Sophie Beer
Love is baking a special cake. Love is lending a helping hand. Love is reading one more book. In this exuberant board book, many different families are shown in happy activity, from an early-morning wake-up to a kiss before bed. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this preschool read-aloud demonstrates that love among family members is the most important thing!
Powwow Day
Written by Traci Sorell
Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight
When Powwow day, a traditional Native American ceremony arrives, River is recovering from an illness and feels too weak to dance even though she really wants to. This book follows River’s journey and tells the story of how her community comes together to support her healing.
Not Quite Snow White
Written by Ashley Franklin
Illustrated by Ebony Glenn
Tameika loves to act, sing, and dance—so when her school announces their Snow White musical, she auditions for the lead princess role. But other kids think she’s “not quite” right to play the role. This picture book highlights the importance of self-confidence while taking an earnest look at what happens when that confidence is shaken or lost. Tameika encourages us all to let our magic shine.
Book bans are growing at an alarming rate and have a negative impact. They restrict access to books that speak to a diverse group of children, decrease reading engagement, and discourage critical thinking. However, adding these books to home and classroom libraries has been shown to increase children’s enjoyment of reading, the time they spend reading, and their reading scores on standardized tests.
