Banned & Challenged Picture Books

Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss.
Challenged, but retained, despite a patron’s concern that the book “encourages children to use violence against their fathers.”

Draw Me a Star by Eric Carle.

Challenged due to “a stylized naked man and woman shown as Adam & Eve.”

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig.

This Caldecott winner raised controversy among several school districts and organizations for its portrayal of the police as pigs (although anthropomorphic pigs were shown in other professions), and as a result was banned in parts of the United States.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.

Another Caldecott winner, this has been challenged due to the fact that it promotes “witchcraft and supernatural events.”

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf.

Released nine months before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, this book was seen by many as a pacifist book. It was banned in many countries, including in Spain. Adolf Hitler ordered the book burned, while India's leader Mahatma Gandhi called it his favorite book.

Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam and Lane Smith.

This children’s picture book offers a Halloween-themed poem that corresponds to each letter of the alphabet and has been criticized for being book is frightening, violent, anti-Christian, and generally unsuitable for children.