The American Library Association recently released their list of the 10 Most Challenged Books of 2007. For the second straight year, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell’s award-winning children’s book about two male penguins who care for an orphaned egg–And Tango Makes Three–topped the list.

When schools or libraries receive formal, written complaints requesting that a certain book be removed because of content or appropriateness, the book is considered a “challenged book.” According to the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF), they received 420 reports from libraries and schools of efforts to have books removed last year.

However, they also note that the majority of challenges go unreported. 

How do you feel about it as a parent? Is it different than how you feel about it as a regular ol’ American citizen? When should people/children have access to information and the freedom to choose for themselves and when should it be denied or controlled? It appears that these questions present themselves over and over again each year when it comes to children’s literature.

Taken from the ALA website, here is the list of the “10 Most Challenged Books of 2007.” You’ll see that they reflect a range of themes and are challenged for a variety of reasons:

1. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell 

Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Reasons:  Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

3. Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes

Reasons:  Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language

4. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Reasons:  Religious Viewpoint

5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Reasons:  Racism

6. The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7. TTYL by Lauren Myracle

Reasons:  Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Reasons:  Sexually Explicit

9. It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris

Reasons:  Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10. The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Reasons:  Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

Yes, April showers bring May flowers. But May showers just bring you…indoors. If you find yourself and your kids stuck inside on a rainy day this May, a DIY project is just what you need.

Fitness magazine included directions for a simple how-to project in their last issue that you and the kids could enjoy. Make your own egg-carton herb graden and watch the good times grow.

What you’ll need:

• an empty egg carton with a few small drainage holes punched in the bottom of each well
• different herb packets like basil chives dill thyme oregano and sage
• potting soil
• popsicle sticks
• plastic wrap

What you’ll do:

1. Read instructions on packs-some seeds need to be soaked before planting.
2. Spoon potting mix into wells and plant seeds at depth required for each herb. Sprinkle with water.
3. Write the name of each herb on a popsicle stick and place in backs of wells.
4. Cover carton tightly with plastic wrap and set on a warm sunny windowsill.
5. When herbs sprout, remove plastic wrap, and water every few days. Move to larger pots as necessary.

Did you know there were safety guidelines regarding your children’s sleepwear? Did you know that they recently changed? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently released their new requirements for kid’s pajamas to help give parents safe and broader choices when it comes to sleepwear.

• Infant sizes up to 9 months may be made from flame resistant or non-flame resistant fabrics
• Infant sizes above 9 months must either be flame resistant or worn snug-fitting

Children should not sleep in oversized or loose-fitting clothing like t-shirts or sweatshirts or other garments made from non-flame resistant fabrics. It’s important to keep 2 “f” words in mind when you’re buying your children’s sleepwear:  fabric and fit!

American Girls and Build-A-Bear have nothing on Ridemakerz. Just ask the boys who shop there.

Ridemakerz is a toy car shop; seven of them are currently in business across the country. Of course, they’re popular with boys. But dads and moms and even sisters are finding Ridemakerz a pretty fun place to be. 

Ridemakerz market to the preteens with their “rimz” and “decalz” and “enginez” and “ridez” and prices too. Accessories for the cars and trucks start at $2.50 while the toy cars themselves start at just $15.00. Ridemakerz is targeted for the beginner who wants to make the toy car of his or her dreams out of 600 million possible combinations.

If the sound of Ridemakerz revs your child’s engine, check out their website. Your child can start picking parts and comparing cars or even planning a Ridemakerz party. Hold on tight; it’s a fun ride!

In the last post, I wrote about recommended vaccines for children between the ages of 0 and 6 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a schedule of recommended vaccines for people aged 7 - 18 years as well. Their recommendations are as follows:

7-10 years

• Meningococcal (MCV4)*
• Pneumococcal (PPV)*
• Influenza*
• Hepatitis A Series (HepA)*

11-12 years

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• MCV4
• PPV*
• Influenza*
• HepA Series*

13-18 years

• PPV*
• Influenza*
• HepA Series*

*These are applicable to certain high-risk groups only. Check with your doctor for more information.

While this schedule of recommended vaccines is approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, you may still have your own questions and concerns. You should always feel comfortable consulting your child’s doctor; there are no dumb questions when it comes to your child’s health.

Does your child have an awesome third- fourth- or fifth-grade teacher? If so, your child has a chance to give that teacher an excellent opportunity. Select teachers will get to go to the 2009 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy – a camp where teachers get to learn about math and science in fun ways. Teachers from across the county will be chosen to go to this week-long camp and even better news-it’s completely free for them.

If you or your child knows a fabulous teacher, in grades three four or five, nominate him or her today for this exciting opportunity. Deadline for registration is October 31, 2008.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has launched its 2008 National Art Contest for Children. The contest is open to boys and girls in two age groups, grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. Here are the facts:

• The contest’s theme is How I Can Be Active.
• Children should submit an original piece of artwork to AAP.
• The winner in each age group will invited to attend the 2008 AAP National Conference & Exhibition in Boston on October 11.
• Both winners will also receive $500 and up to $1000 for travel expenses.
• The second-place winner in each group will receive $250.
• All four winners’ schools will receive matching cash amounts.
• Winners and other entrants will have their artwork featured on the AAP Web site and in other AAP materials.

Official rules and regulations are on the AAP Web site. Entry forms and consent forms can be found on the site and must be mailed in with the child’s art work. All entries must be postmarked by July 31, 2008. Sounds like a great opportunity!

Stage parents are back in a big, bad way.

First, on American Idol, reports continue to surface about David Archuleta’s father being way over the top. Archuleta, who seems to be a fan favorite-especially with young viewers-has his father with him in Hollywood since he’s still a minor. Some sources have claimed that Daddy Archuleta is overbearing and very hard on David-reducing him to tears on different occasions. Last week, it sounded like Simon Cowell took a swipe at David’s dad by insinuating that the song David sang couldn’t have possibly been chosen by David…meaning Daddy Dearest may have been behind the bad song selection.

But the parents on the VH1 reality show I Know My Kid’s A Star might take the case for scary stage parents. And when you watch them push and berate and ridicule their own children, you, of course, wonder who exactly wants to be the star…the parent or the child.

Unfortunately, these parents aren’t only on reality shows and they aren’t only the parents of kids in show business. Look around…I’m sure you see them pushing kids too far on the sports field-in the classroom-at dance recitals-at the swimming pool-the list goes on. My question is…is it ever someone else’s place to step in and stop these parents?