From: Artbeat <artbeat>
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 15:15:59 +0800

Having created picture books for the American, Australian and British market, I'm well aware of censorship, restrictions and artistic license allowed in artwork.

For librarians in the states of Utah & Texas, I had to white out the smallest of smallest bottles of rum on a far back shelve of a Caribbean shop
(which is sold next to mayonnaise and ketchup) in "Not A Copper Penny in Me House". Since I wanted the book to reach children throughout the US-I was happy to do so.


In my Australian convict era book "The Legend Of Moondyne Joe" there is a scene in an Inn with Two Foot Jimmy and Five Day Jack drinking. There are guns visible on 3 spreads and we even say "the smell of gunpowder hung in the air"....The book has nearly sold out in less than two months of publication. Librarians are crying out for it....

Depicting nudity, alcohol, guns, and sexual issues? I would think, but hopefully I'm wrong, Diane Wolfer's pregnant teenager and abortion novel would be banned in a few states. Please tell me if things have changed regarding censorship in the US?

Fran? Lessac
Received on Tue 23 Jul 2002 02:15:59 AM CDT