10 Children’s Books That Were Banned For Very Ridiculous Reasons

Who didn’t love fairy tales as a kid? The magical world of fairy tales and childhood always go hand in hand. But few people know that many children’s books in different periods of time were banned for the most ridiculous reasons. Someone might think that only works for adults can be banned, but this also affected children’s books. Adults love to create problems and see them where they really aren’t. And children simply read fairy tales, imagining themselves in the place of heroes in a fictional world.

10 Carlson who lives on the roof – Astrid Lindgren

The story of Carlson, who lives on the roof is part of a trilogy by Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren. In Russia, this fairy tale is known from the Soviet cartoon, in which Carlson’s personality has more positive qualities than the original. At home in Sweden, this character is not loved. And in America, according to various sources, the book was banned. The reason for the ban is a negative example that Carlson sets for children. He does not respect traditions, does not obey the laws and is an ardent opponent of the rule of law. Freken Bock’s penchant for sadistic upbringing is also one of the reasons for the book’s ban.

9. Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain

Oddly enough, but on the territory of America, Mark Twain’s story The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn is banned. The fairy tale is forbidden for various reasons. First of all, Tom and Huckleberry are very naughty boys, besides, they prefer to wander, and such behavior cannot be a good example for the younger generation. The theme of racism in the work did not stand aside. Афроамериканское населения потребовало запрета книги, потому что ругательное слово «ниггер» на страницах сказки встречается 39 раз. And that’s just the first 35 pages! In many American schools and states, the work of Mark Twain is still banned.

8. The Tale of the Priest and of his Balde Worker

Pushkin’s immortal work “The Tale of the Priest and His Worker Balda” was not banned in Russia, but nevertheless, caused a negative attitude among some groups of the population. First of all, representatives of the clergy are dissatisfied. In the Kuban, some adjustments were made to the fairy tale, and as a result, the priest was replaced by a merchant. According to the convinced opinion of Father Pavel, the priest of the Armavir Cathedral, Pushkin could not write such a work, since he was a believer. During the life of the poet, the work was never published. Vasily Zhukovsky was engaged in its release. Then he replaced the priest with a merchant. Now, Father Pavel insists that the fairy tale be published in this version. The original edition of the fairy tale in verse was published in 1917 and since then the edition has not changed until today.

7. The Tale of the Golden Cockerel

Another work of Pushkin that has been criticized is the tale of the golden cockerel. It would seem, what can you find fault with in this work? But even here there were dissatisfied. In the first fairy tale was banned immediately after its publication. Nicholas 2 saw many allusions to himself and his reign, the Russo-Japanese War and many other events. It was clear to everyone that the tale of the golden cockerel was a caricature of the reign of Nicholas 2. Nowadays, the tale did not suit Patriarch Kirill. He considered it blasphemous and blasphemous. Serebrennikov’s production was to blame for the Patriarch’s dissatisfaction. According to a group of believers, the production is aimed at “humiliating the dignity of Orthodox Christians.”

6. Roni the Robber’s Daughter – Astrid Lindgren

Astrid Lindgren’s fairy tale was published in 1981. The story has been filmed many times. The plot of the story tells about a little girl named Roni. Most of the time she walks around the neighborhood of her father’s estate and considers herself quite happy. But Roni does not even suspect how lonely she really is until the moment she meets a boy from another robber clan, Birk. Father Roni and Birka are sworn enemies, but despite this, their children have become true friends. Because of the prohibitions of their parents, the children decide to run away from home. And according to some parents, such behavior cannot be a good example for young readers.

5. Harry Potter book series

The wizard boy Harry Potter is one of the most recognizable and beloved characters not only among children, but also among adults. But even a series of stories about a young wizard was on the list of banned books. The reason for the bans was the accusation of promoting the occult, Satanism and disrespect for traditional family values. It’s hard not to agree that the reasons are unfounded. Among the dissatisfied, again, are representatives of the clergy. Representatives of Protestants, Catholics and Christians oppose the publication of a series of books. Supporters of history argue that the plot of Harry Potter is far from religious topics.

4. Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf

The reason for the ban on the Russian folk tale Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf is the lack of a positive example in the person of the protagonist. The personality of Ivan Tsarevich was criticized. the main character does not have a single positive quality that could be set a good example for the younger generation. And the morality of a fairy tale cannot teach a child moral values ​​at all. But to rob, kill and deceive in order to live well – such a message is carried by a fairy tale. The only positive character, oddly enough, is the Gray Wolf, but this is a minor character and he is not given special importance among children.

3. Alyonushka’s Tales – Mamin-Sibiryak

Mamin-Sibiryak wrote a cycle of fairy tales Alyonushka’s fairy tales for his daughter Elena, where, using the example of fairy-tale heroes and animals, the writer denounced acute social issues and vices. The writer was able to bring out valuable lessons for children, but in such a way that the stories could interest them. Scenes from the life of forest animals are direct references to human nature. Through fairy tales Mamin-Sibiryak gives children life lessons. But some parents may see scenes in fairy tales that cannot teach moral values ​​to a child.

2. Kissing is forbidden – Ksenia Dragunskaya

Ksenia Dragunskaya’s children’s book Kissing Is Forbidden has been censored. Among the dissatisfied were members of the parent committee from the Urals. They sent a request to the prosecutor’s office to have the staff check the book for censored scenes in the book. The story tells about the methods of suicide, and it also contains hints of a sexual relationship between an adult woman and a minor boy. As a result, the book disappeared from the shelves of many bookstores in the country.

1. The Tale of the Kolobok

Kolobok left both his grandmother and grandfather, and from a number of libraries. In the fairy tale about the kolobok, some categories of citizens saw scenes of physical violence. And this can negatively affect the psyche of children when reading such fairy tales. In addition, the bun leaves the house, which does not set a good example for children. Again, the reasons for the ban on the Russian folk tale seem ludicrous. And according to this logic, all fairy tales should be banned. And then what will be left for the children? Instead of finding hidden meanings in children’s books, you need to explain to children how to and how not to act using the example of fairy-tale characters.