Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: AWARENESS TOUR: Art by Marin

Another day, another MONTH, but I'm happy to see you every day here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. We're kicking off December with an AWARENESS TOUR currently making its way through the blogosphere with The Children's Book Review. It features a curious Picture Book that seems to honestly take the old adage of a picture speaking a thousand words to heart...because sometimes words can fail us where images take flight. Ladies and gents, come in for a closer look at today's title in the spotlight, then KEEP READING for a special Guest Post with the author about Censorship in Children's Literature....

ART

Marin

34 Pages | Publisher: Fontreal

ISBN-13: 9781989661215

About the book...

Art is autistic and artistic.

Art has just one friend – his teddy bear.

Art does not speak, but he makes art. Art that dismisses gravity.

The publication crowns the artist and turns royalty into a mere audience. The sophisticated illustrations inspire readers to express their emotions, verbalize their feelings, and create their own stories.

Amazon

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~~~ GUEST POST ~~~

Next page: Censorship in Children's Literature

By Marin

The shelves in the children’s section of libraries and bookstores often paint a vibrant tableau of imagination, adventure, and learning. Yet, they also occasionally become battlegrounds for freedom of expression—a place where some seek to challenge and even ban books. As librarians, educators, booksellers, and parents, it is imperative to address the intersection of youth literature and censorship, particularly within the delicate framework of nurturing young minds.

Books are sometimes challenged and banned for various reasons: the depiction of controversial themes, the inclusion of difficult subjects, or the presentation of ideas that run counter to particular societal norms or values. Historical texts might be contested for outdated or offensive language and perspectives that reflect a different era's biases. The rationale behind such actions is often the protection of young readers from ideas deemed harmful or inappropriate.

Yet, books are inadvertently potent lessons of our past as well as our present. They serve as mirrors of the mistakes we've made and the strides we have taken. Stories once banned for addressing issues like racial injustice or LGBTQ+ themes now provoke discussions about how human societies develop and learn from history. The path to progress, paved with both good intentions and flawed executions, is starkly outlined in the controversial margins of literature.

Parents, as natural protectors, play a pivotal role in their children’s development and have the prerogative to guide their reading. However, when individual preferences shift to dictate what should be available for all children, we enter a gray area: if parents are responsible for what their children read, do they also possess the right to restrict the literary landscape for others? This delicate balance between parental guidance and collective censorship is a nuanced debate in our communities.

Challenged and banned books often become victims in the larger context of our cultural wars. These wars are waged on a scale that encompasses much more than literature, reflecting deep societal divisions over morality, ideology, and values. Books for young readers become symbols in these conflicts, with each side attributing to them the power to shape young minds for better or worse.

In the midst of this, one might argue that it is more beneficial to discuss openly with young readers themes that challenge but remain age-appropriate. By sweeping under-the-rug emotional themes such as death, abuse, injustice, racism, war, refugees, and residential schools, we deny children a chance to understand and engage with the complexities of the world they inhabit. Books that address such themes do not aim to corrupt innocence but to equip the young reader with empathy, knowledge, and the critical ability to navigate reality.

Censorship, at its core, is the suppression of ideas. The question looms: does the book ban movement genuinely protect children, or inhibit their cognitive, emotional, and cultural development? Censoring what children read suggests a sort of discomfort with the dynamism of thought. When ready (with proper guidance), literature addressing challenging themes should be welcomed to nurture development of mind, morals, and emotion. In protecting our children from certain ideas and/or realities, we may also inadvertently be withholding the tools they need to build a more understanding and informed world.

In an age inundated with information from countless sources, the role of the book as a medium for conveying ideas remains significant. The power of a book to stimulate thought, provoke questions, and encourage discourse is unparalleled. A book in the hands of a child is not just a repository of words; it is a vessel for exploration, growth, and learning.

As gatekeepers of children's literature, we must weigh the intent and impact of censorship. Are we carving a path for our children to become thoughtful, discerning adults, or are we simply carving out sections of their world, leaving them with an incomplete map? In fostering environments where difficult topics can be discussed with care and respect, we do not weaken the moral fiber of our young. Instead, we strengthen their capacity to empathize and their ability to discern right from wrong in the complex tapestry of human experience. Let us, therefore, champion the books that challenge us, for they are the ones that will truly teach us.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marin is proud to be a self-published children’s book creator. He writes his stories, illustrates the books, designs the covers, formats the pages, and publishes the volumes. He even creates new fonts for his publications to make them one-of-a-kind. To achieve a world-class status for his books, Marin “marinates” them in a special creative compound.

Marin lives with his family on the Canadian East Coast. He is very thankful that the weather there is often bad and gives him more chances to sit in front of a computer and create. His works are available in several different formats:

HARDCOVER: books are cataloged and can be ordered in any bookstore or library in North America. A book title, author’s name, or ISBN is needed for placing an order.

SOFTCOVER and EBOOK: available on Amazon, Kobo, Google Books, Barnes & Noble, and other big and small book retailers.

AUDIOBOOK: obtainable from Audible, iTunes, MagicBlox, and other vendors.

For more information, visit https://fontreal.com.

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Enter the giveaway for the chance to win an autographed hardcover copy of Art and $50 sent via PayPal! A complimentary download of Marin's book The Smile is also available to everyone right now on Amazon.

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for sharing a bit of themselves with the guest post. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Fontreal. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, November 27, 2023

The Children’s Book Review

Book Tour Kick-Off

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

The Momma Spot

Book Review of Art

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Life Is What It’s Called

Author Interview with Marin

Thursday, November 30, 2023

icefairy’s Treasure Chest