Davodd.com

OK, OK, I vowed to my friends not to write about Sarah Palin anymore — but I said *nothing* about not writing about politicians trying to ban LGBT-themed books from public libraries.

A couple of days ago I posted an excerpt from Time magazine, documenting claims that Sarah Palin tried to force the Wasilla, Alaska librarian to ban books. It turned out the focus of the ban was focused on a kid’s book, Daddy’s Roommate, written by award-winning author Michael Willhoite and based on Palin’s fervent anti-gay agenda, as reported in the New York Times.

But in 1995, Ms. Palin, then a city councilwoman, told colleagues that she had noticed the book “Daddy’s Roommate” on the shelves and that it did not belong there, according to Ms. Chase [Laura Chase, the campaign manager during Ms. Palin's first run for mayor in 1996] and Mr. Stein [John Stein, former Mayor of Wasilla]. Ms. Chase read the book, which helps children understand homosexuality, and said it was inoffensive; she suggested that Ms. Palin read it. “Sarah said she didn’t need to read that stuff,” Ms. Chase said. “It was disturbing that someone would be willing to remove a book from the library and she didn’t even read it.”

The book in question is a children’s book written in 1991 – and is slightly dated. According to the publisher, here is a description of the book:

This story’s narrator begins with his parent’s divorce and continues with the arrival of “someone new at Daddy’s house”. The new arrival is male. This new concept is explained to the child as “just one more kind of love”. The text is suitably straightforward, and the format–single lines of copy beneath full-page illustrations–easily accessible to the intended audience.
 
Annotation:
A young boy named Nick introduces readers to life with his divorced father and his father’s roommate/lifemate, a man named Frank. Nick openly explains what life is like for his father and Frank–stating that they “live together, work together and sleep together.” He then goes on to explain how he has a positive relationship with both men, enjoying such activities as gardening, shopping, and going to the beach. Nick concludes his story by stating his belief that “being gay is just one more kind of love. And love is the best kind of happiness.” Watercolor illustrations accompany the text.

Maybe I’m being oversensitive – but as an American, I find the notion of banning a book – especially a children’s book to be appalling.  This is especially true for the very few book aimed at children of lesbian and gay parents who are just discovering their families may not look like their friend’s family. As Publisher’s Weekly put it:

This picture book is an auspicious beginning to the Alyson Wonderland imprint, “which focuses on books for and about the children of lesbian and gay parents.” That the venture is being undertaken is in itself commendable: consciousness-raising concerning gay issues can handily begin at an early age with the help of books such as Willhoite’s. His text is suitably straightforward, and the format–single lines of copy beneath full-page illustrations–easily accessible to the intended audience. The story’s narrator begins with his parents’ divorce, and continues, “Now there’s somebody new at Daddy’s house.” The new arrival is male; Frank and Daddy are seen pursuing their daily routine (eating, shaving, sleeping–even fighting), and on weekends the three interact easily on their various outings. “Mommy says Frank and Daddy are gay”–this new concept is explained to the child as “just one more kind of love.” Willhoite’s cartoony pictures work well here; the colorful characters with their contemporary wardrobes and familiar surroundings lend the tale a stabilizing air of warmth and familiarity. Ages 2-5. (Dec.)