How can you not roll your eyes at this story?
Apparently, Ottawa author Kevin Bolger, who wrote a kids’ book with the snicker-worthy title of Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger, was stopped a few minutes into his reading at an Ottawa elementary school yesterday and pulled aside by the principal, who then canceled the rest of the reading entirely. According to the school board superintendent, “the principal was concerned about a character in the new book called ‘Mrs. Imavitch’, which rhymes with a derogatory word.”
The superintendent went on to say, “[The principal] was a little concerned about what might be interpreted by the kids of the language. They’ve been working hard this year on their character initiative … [on] respectful language to one another. She just felt that with the age range of the kids it was better that they not discuss that today until they could put the whole thing in context.”
Seriously? I mean, for one thing, the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of words that rhyme with “Imavitch” starts with a W, not a B. And for goodness sake, the school didn’t get the hint that there be potty humour ahead when they signed on for a book reading that had both farts AND boogers in the title?
Okay, so I’m biased. In a house with three boys ranging from two to eight years of age, I have come to realize that there is no higher art form to a young boy than a well-worded fart joke. You should hear them howling with laughter when Beloved reads them Captain Underpants, or even the How to Train Your Dragon series. It’s the sweetest sound in the world, and it makes them love books even more. I say, if it gets them reading, I’m fine with a little potty humour here and there.
CBC.ca notes that Kevin Bolger is scheduled to read at seven more Ottawa schools on his current reading tour. I only wish our boys were lucky enough to go to one of those schools, and I dearly hope the next seven schools show more sense than the administrators at Manor Park Public School did. Lighten up, people! A little silliness is a wonderful thing.
What do you think?
I probably have a skewed vision altogether, having gone to a uppity school that sent you to detention for not having your hair perfectly well up in a bun – nay, chignon.
Anyway – shielding children from this type of material does one thing and one thing only: it sends messages about what’s wrong, shameful and “sinful”. then people grow up with complexes about all sorts of things. It’s still a form of stupid censorship – let the child learn, bring it home, so you can discuss it as a family and see what your child *actually* learns.
Once they turn 10 anyway, they’ll be exposed to a lot worse both in school and out of school – why not start them with dialogue first and create a comfort conversation zone – so if you as a parent feel boogies are uncool, you can explain to your child why. and if you feel fart jokes are okay, you tell the kid why…
If I were in middle school all over again, I’d say this principal needs to ______.
My son was delighted when Kevin came to his school to read last year. It is difficult enough to get boys to read! Kevin’s book kickstarted my son to love reading and I am forever grateful. I eagerly await the next installment of Sir Fartsalot…bring it on!
OMG! Aren’t they going too far with the “political correctness” thing?
Captain Underpants is a big hit in our house. A little potty talk and having fun is all about being a kid 🙂 I will check out Kevin Bolger and Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger!
That is so, so short sighted by the principal. I believe it shows more of a lack of character of the principal more than anything else. As you pointed out in your article when kids hear “Imavitch” they will probably parse that in their mind as “I’m a witch”. At least that’s how it first went through my head.
At least Mr. Bolger can take solace that the publicity created by this incident can only increase his book sales. Time for me to check out this series.
I personally think that censorship is never the solution. You can’t just cut off parts of a book or cancel a reading altogether because *maybe* somebody will understand something innocent as bad. I read it as “I”m a witch” as well and I’m far from being innocent 😆
I hate political correctness.
I think that censorship has gone too far when a principal won’t let children hear a story. Albeit, a potty humour storey. I don’t know what Mr. Bolger’s books are about but I will find out tonight when I go to Chapters to see if the books are appropriate for my son (He’s 4 …and a half… he LOVES making fart noises…go figure).
1) Kids will go home and ask their parents about it because kids want what they don’t have.
2) The reviews on the Chapters website are great. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy something like this for my son. *Pending Mommy approval from this mommy*
3) Finally, which I think is the most important, the school board allowed for Mr. Bolger to have the book tour in the schools. If they are alright with him and the series, I don’t see why one person has the rite to stop the reading. Suck it up! I wonder if the principal is a parent?
My first thought, unlike others, was the B word but then I thought about kids, so they would think about Witch. Obviously the principal doesn’t remember what it is like to be a kid and they need to go back to school. They also need to remember that kids learn better in a fun and safe environment. A little potty humour won’t hurt anyone.
Besides, I think it is up to the children and what words they use. By the time they are in school they know what words are appropriate and I am sure most of them have heard every colourful word out there. I know my son has. He also lets me know when I say a “bad word†so that I can correct my language. Having a four…and a half…year old has really helped changed my potty mouth. 😉
Oh ferheavenssake. I have to vonder vy anyvon vould assume the V is a B instead of a W. I think he’s thinking too much as an adult and not enough as a kid.
Captain Underpants books are a huge hit in our house. They are so much fun to read. I’ll have to go looking for Kevin Bolger’s books, too.
RT @DaniGirl: Boogers and farts censored at an Ottawa school? What do you think? http://tinyurl.com/24ryjhe <- censorship in #Ottawa school
So far, I feel undecided about this issue. But here are a few things to consider as part of the discussion:
a) if you really think all Primary Grade students (K to 3) will automatically think “witch” you’re delusional. I teach grade 2, and let me tell you, many of my darling students would immediately jump to the “b” version of the word instead. And there is bound to be at least one kid in the class with no self-restraint who will blurt it out to the whole class, to share with those few who didn’t make the connection.
b) I doubt the School Board booked the presentation … they don’t get involved in that sort of activity within the school, generally. It may not have been the principal, either. Booking of events like this within a school could be done by a Principal, Vice-Principal, or teacher. While an administrator would be advised by a teacher who organised it that it was going on, they may have only been otld (or only have processed) “author’s visit” and not the details.
I’ll chime in here, with some perspective based on my recent experience working as a lunch lady, a regular volunteer in kindergarten and at every school event, and as a mom, and former Vice-Chair of the Parents Council (who likely sponsored such a thing), and as a person who, while she loves a finely honed potty joke herself, has boundaries – and is pretty strict about them with her child.
And so I’ll say this: I’m incensed. You know what? Kids are rude enough everywhere in the world today that they don’t need an author’s visit at school to help them enjoy potty humour and vulgarity. They’re excited about meeting any author, whether it’s about poop and boogers or the visiting scientist. When I use my most critical thinking powers, I figure it’s not really and truly an incentive to reading and I really don’t think this needs to be condoned regardless of whether anyone’s mental leap makes it from V past B to W. It’s titillating, but is it something of quality? I think it’s not censorship and not political correctness, but a Principal understanding that it may not be acceptable to all parents and it’s better to prevent a situation rather than to apologize later.
For one thing, part of the deliciousness of potty humour is the subversive naughtiness. Let it be that way. Give them that space, that incentive and tool to rebel against propriety, because as it was said – it WILL happen and worse – but don’t make it a part of a place where the adults in charge of their day already have a very hard time getting them to speak respectfully, focus, and avoid its use during the course of learning time. There is nothing in that kind of language that helps build a person of quality and integrity, and being familiar with the character initiatives established at schools, I’d say that it surely doesn’t follow the goal to encourage students to “think critically, feel deeply and act wisely” – a story like that is pretty much pure comic relief. I’d be bothered if my kid thought only “Silly! HOW UTTERLY FREAKING GREAT!” – and she’s the one who got naked with your boys and still gets a frisson about our visit because it was SO NAUGHTY (and I quote her with: “I NEVER get to kill things with light sabres at home!”). She gets plenty of silly on her own time with giddy friends (I am still mitigating some of the damage from a teenage babysitter’s introducing her to ICarly), but I don’t want that to come from school. It’s just that there’s no need to “go there”, not in school.
It’s hard for kids in that age range to understand limits and boundaries – that what was okay when the author was there is not really appropriate for, say, writer’s workshop or in polite company or at a nice restaurant. And then, as it does, it escalates. Say, to go from a reading like that in first grade where that’s considered a high point, taking that to a place where in third grade, they’re reminded to put their wrapper in the trash at lunch and respond “What? Did you say put the crapper in my ass?” – and then be rewarded by the laughter of a table full of like-minded third graders, which far outweighs the punitive (or, forgive me – progressive discipline) value of a ten minute visit with the Principal.
It’s just as easy to get them to laugh uproariously by reading or being read something humorous that’s not rude more by how you read it and how it tickles their particular funny bone, and to get them reading by providing wonderful books that don’t go for the cheap shot. Because that’s all that is – cheap humour, and I aspire to more for my kid at the school I work so hard to improve.
And it’s also why the world is full of sites like People of Walmart, FAILblog and those who consider LOLCATZ the highlight of their day. I’m not going to lighten up on this, because I think people are learning to settle for too little, and I aspire to finer things whenever I can.
Oh, and that was me. Marla.
@Marianne you might be correct about the school board not booking it. I didn’t know if the school itself books things like that or the board
I work in schools so I have some experience with kids and classes, and books.
Honestly, I picked up right away that the name could be taken as “I’m a bitch”. Or witch. But like has been pointed out, to think that kids this age haven’t heard the b-word is unrealistic. Many have heard it, some use it.
Now having said that, if the character IS a witch (as is reported here) http://tinyurl.com/27lechb then I don’t see the problem. Are we going to censor every book just because some words might rhyme with something inappropriate? I think it’s going overboard. There are SO MANY issues in schools, I don’t see why this is being made such a huge deal of.
Walter the Farting Dog is huge in our house, so take a guess where I stand on potty humour re: @danigirl's post http://bit.ly/c2nwLz
Our two boys love that book! RT @bitofmomsense: Walter the Farting Dog is huge in our house @danigirl's post http://bit.ly/c2nwLz
Walter ROCKS!! RT @bitofmomsense: Walter the Farting Dog is huge in our house … potty humour re: @danigirl's post http://bit.ly/c2nwLz
The character has a pointy hat and a very “witchy” look. So yes, the Mrs. Imavitch is very tongue and cheek.
I was very sad to see this happen at the school where the jellybean will be enrolled next year. Will other authors hesitate to come read? Will other speakers decline politely an invitation to speak to the kids for fear that they will be required to hand it a script of every word they will utter?
I think the principal was very short sighted with such a knee jerk reaction. how about let the author finish, or the very least ask him to read another story (he has written many books!) and then open the dialogue about appropriate and inappropriate language, IF it even comes up. Now this principal has inflicted a huge concept and topic for his teachers to deal with in the last few days of school. Well done!
When I read the article this morning I thought the entire thing was ridiculous. I am however enjoying reading other peoples perspectives. It is so interesting to see how very different we all are.
Rich, ditch, hitch, itch, glitch, twitch, pitch, stitch, mitch…. Perhaps all books with these words should also not be read to students? How about Walter the farting dog?
i always think there is a rush to condemn in these kinds of situations.
i had a very hard time believing that any principal would pull a guest author and fellow educator without some major concern.
the reason, it appears, was not the “sir fartsalot hunts the booger” book at all, but the fact that the author began reading from a new book, one not “okayed” by the school.
probably still an over reaction, but more understandable.
i have peeked at the book, “zombiekins” that he was reading from, and while i have no issue with my kids being exposed to zombies and the undead…i could see where the principal might be concerned, especially with the book not yet released…
personally? i do not believe in restricting my kids access to any literature. i have voracious readers…and informed kids. they will come up against nothing in a book that they do not see or hear in the real world every day.
however, that opinion is not shared by everyone, and as a principal, they are responsible for providing a positive learning environment for every child.
i am pretty sure this is the last thing this principal wanted to do that day…but she/he did and is now left to deal with the fallout.
which, at least, always leads to a good discussion.
kevin bolger himself supported the principal’s right to call it as she/he felt fit in their school. and i think that ultimately, that is what it comes down to…
now, if i was a parent in that school? i would be calling to see what happened, reading the book myself and revisiting the discussion with everyone on the same page, including the students. use it as a teaching moment for everyone;).
As a teacher, I had the opportunity to book this author for our school. I chose not to based on the title of the book. That’s not to say that I don’t think the book is good to have in schools, in fact, I have it in my classroom. But I wouldn’t go so far as to read it allowed to my class or have the author read it. (Same with Captain Underpants, Dork Diaries, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, etc. All great books with high interest level for a school, but not necessarily to focus on at an assembly). We had Eric Wilson come to our school. A Canadian author with a class act presentation. He read parts of his books aloud, gave tips on how to start writing their own stories and showed slides of a research trip up north… it was excellent and NO controversy!
I think the Principal made a real error in judgement. By admitting that there was something wrong with the book, they now have to deal with every student wondering why and fully having to explain. If they simply went on with the presentation, only a few of them would have made any reference to it at all.
I hate when I make writing errors, especially when admitting I am a teacher…. the above should say read aloud…geesh! After I post this, I will likely find another mistake.
Ugh! An over-reaction for sure.
Much too much is being made of the *incident* The kids, being kids, have moved on and are busy with other things. The *controversy* however is great publicity for Mr. Bolger’s book and I’m sure that students will be able to buy it at one of their school book fairs in the future.
I would probably enjoy the book, and not censor it. But I actually see that as a secondary issue.
The real issue to me is the failure to consider this before booking the reading. And especially before the author showed up. Children’s books are not long. If you have concerns about language, and the book’s title contains potty humour, tracking down a copy and reading it yourself first might be in order. It would save everyone a lot of potential embarrassment. It would be the same thing as renting a DVD for a kid’s party – I should know what’s in that DVD before I show it to a room full of 8-year-olds.
It’s always interesting to read the range of everyone’s opinions.
I personally don’t think the potty language is the issue at all, but the fact that the principal stopped the author mid-read and canceled the event. As someone mentioned below, that’s going to make a heck of a larger impact on the kids then the gross jokes ever would.
I think canceling the event was a little harsh considering there was no actual “potty talk” mentioned. There are far worse things that a child could be reading. I do not think you can sensor your children from everything. If they do not hear it in the classroom, they hear it from a friend or at the mall. Eventually they are going to be exposed to it. I think if you simply tell you children that it is a joke and sometimes it is not appropriate, it is fine.
I think the principal and teachers involved should do their research BEFORE a guest has already started speaking in their school. Personally I find nothing wrong with the quotes from the book, but I respect the school’s right to decide what the kids are exposed to. But this should always be done ahead of time.
And…
Don’t think about boogers!!