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https://flatlandkc.org/news-issues/kc-author-of-banned-childrens-books-marches-on/#:~:text=In%20March%2C%20Shane%20W.%20Evans,2021%2D2022%20School%20Year.%E2%80%9D
In March, Shane W. Evans discovered that one of the more than 30 children’s books he has illustrated had landed on the list of “Most Banned Picture Books Of The 2021-2022 School Year.”
It wasn’t the first time.
Two of his other books — “Mixed Me,” which is one of five books he’s produced with best friend actor Taye Diggs, and “Hands Up” — have also been previously banned.
But the choice of “We March” was a real headscratcher for this Kansas City-based artist because it’s about a near-universally heralded historic event.
The sparsely worded picture book follows a Black family’s preparation and trip to the 1963 March on Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr. mesmerized more than 250,000 people with the “I Have A Dream” speech.
“We March” has been lauded as “highly recommended” for educators to use for children aged 5-9 by the educational site Teaching Books.
“We March” also is included in a Netflix Bookmarks Series project and it was on Kirkus Reviews’ Best Children’s Books of 2012.
In March, Shane W. Evans discovered that one of the more than 30 children’s books he has illustrated had landed on the list of “Most Banned Picture Books Of The 2021-2022 School Year.”
It wasn’t the first time.
Two of his other books — “Mixed Me,” which is one of five books he’s produced with best friend actor Taye Diggs, and “Hands Up” — have also been previously banned.
But the choice of “We March” was a real headscratcher for this Kansas City-based artist because it’s about a near-universally heralded historic event.
The sparsely worded picture book follows a Black family’s preparation and trip to the 1963 March on Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr. mesmerized more than 250,000 people with the “I Have A Dream” speech.
“We March” has been lauded as “highly recommended” for educators to use for children aged 5-9 by the educational site Teaching Books.
“We March” also is included in a Netflix Bookmarks Series project and it was on Kirkus Reviews’ Best Children’s Books of 2012.
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Children
Reading
Kansas City
American History
Washington
Posted 1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."He’s produced five books in collaboration with Diggs, the actor and Broadway star.
The first was also on a banned list at one point. “Mixed Me” is about a young child growing to understand and love the uniqueness of his bi-racial heritage, with the guidance of his loving mixed-race parents.
Some have tried to explain society’s current rapt attention to books accessible to children as a period of changing perspectives, especially because so many of the titles involve people of color or the LGBTQ community.
The final page of “We March,” differs from the rest of the text. It’s an explanatory message by Evans that’s clearly for adults. It’s several paragraphs about the historic implications of organized marches, noting how they’ve been used to advance common goals, often against resistance.
“It takes people of all ages and cultural backgrounds to move a nation into a new era of freedom,” reads one passage. “In a sense, these marches pushed old ideas out of the way and moved new ideas forward.”
The crowdsourced campaign around “We March” will likely end as April concludes. The intention was always to have it last about a month.
Once the campaign is complete, Evans said, he “will let it be.”
..."He’s produced five books in collaboration with Diggs, the actor and Broadway star.
The first was also on a banned list at one point. “Mixed Me” is about a young child growing to understand and love the uniqueness of his bi-racial heritage, with the guidance of his loving mixed-race parents.
Some have tried to explain society’s current rapt attention to books accessible to children as a period of changing perspectives, especially because so many of the titles involve people of color or the LGBTQ community.
The final page of “We March,” differs from the rest of the text. It’s an explanatory message by Evans that’s clearly for adults. It’s several paragraphs about the historic implications of organized marches, noting how they’ve been used to advance common goals, often against resistance.
“It takes people of all ages and cultural backgrounds to move a nation into a new era of freedom,” reads one passage. “In a sense, these marches pushed old ideas out of the way and moved new ideas forward.”
The crowdsourced campaign around “We March” will likely end as April concludes. The intention was always to have it last about a month.
Once the campaign is complete, Evans said, he “will let it be.”
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