Episode 17
Why is Children's Literature So Political?
From Huck Finn to Drag Queens, children’s literature has always been a deeply divisive subject.
But is this driven by parental overprotectiveness, or political bias?
In this episode, to celebrate Banned Books Week 2023, we look at the books and the people who have made headlines for all the wrong reasons, as we ask… why is children’s literature so political?
Our guests this week:
- Professor Thomas Ruys Smith, Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia.
- Jonathan Hamilt, Executive Director of Drag Story Hour.
Hamilt is the first Executive Director of Drag Story Hour, taking it from a loose string of a few state’s events to a national 501 c 3 with an international chapter network. He has connected the chapter’s organizers and storytellers with each other on a global scale. Since being named Executive Director, Drag Story Hour has presented at Harvard, Yale, SXSW EDU, ABA, and the Medical Library Association.
Additional Resources:
WEBSITE: Drag Story Hour
WEBSITE: Banned Books Week
If you enjoy this episode, you might also like:
What Was the Constitutional Convention?
Why Does the President Only Serve Two Terms?
Is the President Above the Law?
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Be on the Show!
What would you put in a US time capsule? We're creating a virtual one on the podcast very soon, and we want to hear from you. Visit https://www.speakpipe.com/AmericaAHistory right now to record your contribution... and you might just make it on the show.
