Keep the Light On in the Attic
This 1981 book of poems, written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein, was #51 on the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books list from 1990-1999. A Light in the Attic was banned in some Florida schools because parents thought it “promote[d] violence and disrespect” (Driscoll & O’Carroll, 2012). Another source from CBS News (2019) states this book was challenged from schools because it “encourages children to break dishes so they won’t have to dry them” and another school in 1986 banned it because some of the poems “glorified Satan, suicide and cannibalism, and also encouraged children to be disobedient” (Banned books week).
A Light in the Attic was one of my favorite books of poetry. During my elementary school years, my teachers and school librarians read aloud some of the poems to us. I thought the poems were just silly and did not become negatively influenced by them. During Banned Books Week, I attended a gathering at the college library where I had the opportunity to read aloud a few poems. As an adult, I understand more why this book was challenged in some schools, but I still think this collection of poetry as well as Silverstein’s other books as classics and a wonderful part of my childhood.
HOW NOT TO HAVE TO DRY THE DISHES by Shel Silverstein (1981)
If you have to dry the dishes (Such an awful, boring chore) If you have to dry the dishes (‘Stead of going to the store) If you have to dry the dishes And you drop one on the floor — Maybe they won’t let you Dry the dishes anymore. (p. 12)
Some parents felt this poem taught children to find ways to get out of doing chores. Like reading a poem will give a child that idea. When kids don’t want to do something, they’ll say so or they’ll find creative ways to get out of doing it. After all, they have excellent imaginations. Then there are kids like myself who just do the chores.
LITTLE ABIGAIL AND THE BEAUTIFUL PONY
By Shel Silverstein (1981)
There was a girl named Abigail Who was taking a drive Through the country With her parents When she spied a beautiful sad-eyed Grey and white pony. And next to it was a sign That said, FOR SALE—CHEAP. “Oh,” said Abigail, “May I have that pony? May I please?” And her parents said, “No you may not.” And Abigail said, “But I MUST have that pony.” And her parents said, “Well, you can have a nice butter pecan Ice cream cone when we get home.” And Abigail said, “I don’t want a butter pecan Ice cream cone, I WANT THAT PONY— I MUST HAVE THAT PONY.” And her parents said, “Be quiet and stop nagging— You’re not getting that pony.” And Abigail began to cry and said, “If I don’t get that pony I’ll die.” And her parents said, “You won’t die. No child ever died yet from not getting a pony.” And Abigail felt so bad That when she got home she went to bed, And she couldn’t eat, And she couldn’t sleep, And her heart was broken, And she DID die— All because of a pony That her parents wouldn’t buy.
Authors Note: (This is a good story To read to your folks When they won’t buy You something you want.) (p. 120)
Now that I’m an adult, I can understand why this may not be such a great poem for children. There were parents who thought this poem glorified suicide and may have influenced some kids to manipulate their parents into giving them what they wanted. I doubt any kid would follow through and die because he/she didn’t get what they wanted.
If someone disagrees with certain reading material for their children, they can choose not to let their children read it. Just don’t force teachers and librarians to ban the book. Keep the light on, even in the attic.
References:
100 most frequently challenged books: 1990-1999. (n.d.). American Library Association. Retrieved September 27, 2019, from, http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/100-most-frequently-challenged-books-1990%e2%80%931999
Banned Books Week. (2019). Retrieved September 27, 2019, from CBS News website: https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/banned-books-week/6/
Driscoll, Molly & O’Carroll, Eoin. (2012). “30 banned books that may surprise you.” The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved September 27, 2019, from, https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/2012/1003/30-banned-books-that-may-surprise-you/A-Light-in-the-Attic-by-Shel-Silverstein
Silverstein, Shel. (1981). A Light in the Attic. NY: HarperCollins.
