Arthur the aardvark is the latest target of book challenges in Florida, the Daily Beast reports.
Bruce Friedman filed a complaint with Clay County School District, which covers dozens of schools in northeastern Florida, over Arthur’s Birthday, a 1989 children’s book written and illustrated by Marc Brown. The book is one of many featuring the bespectacled third-grade student aardvark, familiar to many as the main character of the long-running animated PBS show.
Brown’s book follows Arthur as he realizes that his planned birthday party happens to coincide with one for his classmate. Friedman objects to the book because it mentions spin the bottle, a party game that involves kissing.
On a form detailing his objection to the book, Friedman wrote, “PROTECT CHILDREN!! IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS ‘SPIN THE BOTTLE’ WITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.”
The form asks submitters, “What do you believe might be the result of a student using this material?” Friedman’s answer was “DAMAGED SOULS.”
The Daily Beast reports that Friedman leads the Florida Chapter of No Left Turn in Education, which describes itself as “a voice to push back on the Leftist agenda sweeping into public education and to underscore the ideals and values that make our country exceptional.”
Arthur’s Birthday, according to the school district, is pending review by an oversight committee.
Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.
