Once Upon a Ban

Why are people so afraid of pink? My Shadow is Pink gets pulled into controversy.

What is it about boys and pink that sets people off? It’s not just colors. Stepping outside of any stereotypical gender norm seems to get books challenged. This week we're highlighting a few incredible children's books that dare to think beyond pink and share a message of acceptance. #freedomtoread

Are parents really behind book bans? We asked @txfreedomread.bsky.social for their thoughts. 🤔 #freedomtoread #bannedbooks

Don't Mess With Texas Libraries The Texas Freedom to Read Project shares what to expect with SB 13 and how to stand up to censorship in your community.

We're excited to share our latest newsletter featuring @txfreedomread.bsky.social! We had the opportunity to chat with them about SB 13 and how we can all stand up to censorship in our communities. Check it out! #freedomtoread #ireadbannedbooks

Coming Wednesday! We can't wait to share our conversation with @txfreedomread.bsky.social. From SB 13 to how parents can protect the freedom to read in their communities, there's a lot to cover! Visit www.onceuponaban.com to sign up to get this week's newsletter. #freedomtoread #bannedbooks

Library at Risk Over Pride Display In North Carolina, Jackson County residents rally to protect the future of their library.

What started as a complaint over a Pride display has turned into a multi-year debate over the future of the Fontana Regional Library System. Residents are organizing to protect their library so it stays the way it has always been, a true community center. #freedomtoread #bannedbooks #savethefrl

Last Sunday our community came together to Turn the Page and celebrate the #freedomtoread! Thank you to everyone who joined us and we hope to Turn the Page again soon! #ireadbannedbooks

Hey Orange County! Free this Sunday? Join us for our summer reading event in paternship with @wave4all.bsky.social. We’ll have storytime with community leaders, a book fair with a local bookstore, crafts and more! RSVP encouraged but not required. #orangecounty #missionviejo #ocevents

We Can Still Save the Institute for Museum and Library Services Act now to help save the Institute for Museum and Library Services and ensure the well-being of public libraries nationwide.

We can still save the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Here's a practical guide to what to do right now to save not just the agency's funding but its future all together: bookriot.com/we-can-still...

Introducing Ourselves After six months, we felt it was finally time to share why we're here.

We decided it was time to introduce ourselves. 👋
www.onceuponaban.com/p/introducin...

Wow! This is so wrong. Libraries should be for everyone.

Three banned children’s picture books to add to your TBR list this holiday weekend. #letfreedomread #freedomtoread #ireadbannedbooks

Interstellar Cinderella Quarantined Author Deborah Underwood shares why censorship won't stop her from creating empowering characters for young readers.

Incoming transmission... July's featured book has landed! Written by @underwoodwriter.bsky.social and illustrated by @meghunt.bsky.social, Interstellar Cinderella is the story of a smart, independent heroine and it was banned by the DoD. Check out our interview with the author! #kidlit #bannedbooks

I Joyfully Dissent Author Charlotte Sullivan Wild shares her response to the Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling and where we go from here.

With the Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling last week, many of us are left wondering what’s next. We checked back in with author @cswild.bsky.social to get her take on the ruling and where we go from here. #freedomtoread #weneeddiversebooks #kidlit #lgbtqkidlit

I Joyfully Dissent Author Charlotte Sullivan Wild shares her response to the Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling and where we go from here.

With the Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling last week, many of us are left wondering what’s next. We checked back in with author @cswild.bsky.social to get her take on the ruling and where we go from here.
#freedomtoread #weneeddiversebooks #kidlit #lgbtqkidlit

Sharing some thoughts. #freedomtoread #weneeddiversebooks

RSVP at the QR or the link below and we'll share more information!

Hey Southern California! Free on July 13th? We’re excited to share that we're partnering with @wave4all.bsky.social on a summer reading event to celebrate the freedom to read! We'll have storytime with community leaders, crafts and so much more. Join us for an afternoon of summer fun and community!

Reporting back on The Complete Book of Cats. #bannedbooks #cats

It's totally terrifying! Books help kids learn about the world around them, see new perspectives and find commonalities with others. All of these bans are limiting the chance for the next generation to be more accepting than the last.

The @rainbowdefense.bsky.social (RDC) brings together volunteers to create a physical barrier from protestors so families in the DMV area can safely attend Drag Queen Story Hours. Link in bio to read our interview and learn how you can support their efforts. Photo credit @robinfader.bsky.social

Once Upon a Ban | Substack We aim to shine a light on attempts to censor children’s picture books around the country. Part journalism, part book club, we read banned books and talk to activists and authors about their work prot...

We have moved to substack! Find us at OnceUponaBan.com.

Why though? #bannedbooks #ireadbannedbooks #cats

Finding the Helpers The Rainbow Defense Coalition and Books Not Bans work to ensure LGBTQ+ stories remain accessible.

When the rise in censorship begins to feel overwhelming, we like to take a page out of Mr. Rogers’ book and look for the helpers. We’re excited to introduce you to @rainbowdefense.bsky.social and Books Not Bans, two organizations that are working to ensure LGBTQ+ stories remain accessible.

This month's book is Molly's Tuxedo by @vickijohnsonwrites.bsky.social. Johnson shared more with us about her love for reading and what inspired her to write Molly's Tuxedo. Link in bio to read our interview.

Victory in Huntington Beach Our Library Matters stood up to censorship and won.

The votes have been counted and the people of Huntington Beach delivered a resounding victory for the freedom to read on Tuesday night. We caught up with Carol Daus, a representative of Our Library Matters, to get her perspective on the win. #freedomtoread

Residents are heading to the polls this Tuesday to vote on two measures about the library. It’s not too late to catch up on what is happening in Huntington Beach! linktr.ee/onceuponaban

Image shows a rainbow going from the bottom left to the top right of the square. The rainbow looks like it was painted. To the right of the rainbow it says "Happy Pride" with a painted pink heart beneath it.

Happy Pride! This month (and every month) we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, authors, and illustrators who bring stories to life. We believe representation in stories matters and we stand with you.

Image shows the top of a bookshelf filled with children’s picture books and a wall sign that says once upon a time. The text overlay says: Propaganda we are NOT falling for: - Parents aren’t reading to their kids - The library has 🌽 - Avoiding books with difficult topics helps our kids

We’re not falling for it. #bannedbooks #freedomtoread

We recently interviewed author Vicki Johnson about what inspired her to write Molly's Tuxedo and her upcoming book. Link in bio to read more!

For #whatimreadingwednesday our family is reading Molly’s Tuxedo by @vickijohnsonwrites.bsky.social. It’s picture day at school and Molly is excited. There’s just one problem, her mom insists she wears a dress when Molly wants to wear her brother’s old tuxedo instead. What will Molly do? #kidlit