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August 15, 2008 by Travis Jonker

Brainwashed by Children’s Lit

August 15, 2008 by Travis Jonker   6 comments

Democrat, republican, independent – no matter the party, this is a bit over the top.

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Earlier in the week I was surprised to find a picture book that explains to children why their moms have tattoos. Somehow that seems tame in comparison to the following books that, with the help of slightly brainwash-y tactics, explain why mom and dad are democrats.

Let’s crack the covers. Take a look at the picture below – the animals of the forest coming together to fight a fire. Has there ever been a more sweet and innocent image ever committed to the page?

Wait a minute. Take a closer look:

Hmm. Alright, I can support that statement. I mean, there are plenty of groups who are pro firefighters and police, but I can see where they’re coming from. Next page:

Okay, getting a little strange. There’s gotta be more to it than this though. Next page:

Wait, there’s really nothing more to it than this? Next page!

(Rubbing eyes) What does that say? Zoom in:

Oh, good, they’re moving on to some different topics. I was beginning to feel like this was just an outright attempt to indoctrina…

I was wrong.

Click here to check out the entire website (and more sample pages).

(Top Image: ‘Gray matters‘
www.flickr.com/photos/21839204@N00/1805004169)

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About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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Comments

  1. Jon Bard says

    August 15, 2008 at 4:22 pm

    Well, I guess politics in this country have gotten so childish that this was the natural next step.

  2. Scope Notes says

    August 15, 2008 at 8:39 pm

    touche Mr. Bard – I can’t disagree.

  3. Breeni Books says

    August 17, 2008 at 3:49 pm

    I’m just in shock. I don’t know how to react. That’s frightening. Is there a Republican version? I’m imagining gun-toting field mice for that one.

  4. Scope Notes says

    August 17, 2008 at 10:33 pm

    I haven’t seen a republican counterpart to this one yet – it would be somethin’ to see, no doubt.

    • www.sifehku.net says

      February 18, 2014 at 7:18 am

      You’ve really helped me understand the issues. Thanks.

Trackbacks

  1. Children’s Lit Gold: ‘Obama’ Rhymes with ‘Mama’ « 100 Scope Notes says:
    November 23, 2008 at 1:49 am

    […] kinda weird “Why Mommy is a Democrat” and “Why Daddy is a Democrat” books, which I posted about last summer, comes a new not-so-subtle title, “Mama Voted for Obama“. I don’t see this one […]

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