Author: Maren Williams

Sacrebleu! French Politician Attacks Picture Book

A few weeks ago, France found itself in the midst of a rare controversy over a children’s picture book after a prominent politician said on television that it made his blood run cold. The work in question? Tous à poil,…

South Carolina Legislator Tries to Punish College for Fun Home Selection

Last summer, a conservative group in South Carolina got the vapors when Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home was chosen as an optional summer reading book at the College of Charleston. The Palmetto Family Council proclaimed Bechdel’s graphic novel memoir “shocking” and…

Muhlenberg Students Again Raise Alarm on Book-Flagging Policy

Last time we checked in with the Muhlenberg School District in Reading, Pennsylvania, some incredibly sharp students had organized a petition in protest of a new policy requiring teachers to flag any books in their classrooms with content that could…

Flying Spaghetti Monster Banned From UK University Event

Pastafarians, don your colanders! Posters depicting the satirical deity Flying Spaghetti Monster were recently banned from an activities fair at a public university in London because they could be “religiously offensive,” reports The Independent. On their recruitment posters, members of…

Anime Series Changes Timeslots After Complaints to Japanese Watchdog Group

An anime series featuring erotically charged scenes between stepsiblings will be moved from 10:30 p.m. to the early morning hours on Japanese TV after the non-governmental Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization (BPO) launched an investigation into complaints about “heavy…

Remembering Manga Researcher Timothy Perper

We are deeply saddened to hear that writer, manga researcher, and CBLDF supporter Timothy Perper passed away recently at age 74. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and present his full obituary below, as written by…

Palestinian Cartoonist Threatened After Criticizing Militant Group

A Palestinian cartoonist who shared a drawing critical of militant group Al-Quds Brigades on her Facebook page has apologized and deleted the post after receiving death threats and harassment from supporters of the organization. Last week, in response to recent…

Graphic Novels, Challenged Books Score Big in ALA Awards

The American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards for 2014 were presented at the organization’s Midwinter Conference yesterday, and we were pleased to see challenged books and graphic novels figuring prominently among them! The complete roundup of winners and runners-up (Honor…