As children’s book bans soar, sales are down and librarians are afraid. Even in California

After years of culture war battles in school and public libraries, the campaign by conservative-leaning “parent rights” groups has succeeded in casting a nationwide chill over the market for children’s books they deem inappropriate, greatly diminishing sales and opportunities for authors to promote their work. “It reinforces my belief that a lot of people understand how meaningful this form is.” In many ways, those who challenge books agree with Tripathi about the power of a children’s book. She said it’s “heart-wrenching” to hear from parents who are unhappy with a school librarian’s selection of books “but feel like they are walking on eggshells because they didn’t want to cause rifts.” Brenda Lebsack, a special education PE teacher who recently was elected to the Santa Ana Unified School District board, campaigned against allowing books in schools that sexualize children and suggest gender is fluid. Or they simply decline the visit, telling her, “This is just not going to work at this time.” Children’s book writer Kyle Lukoff has written several popular books about transgender children, including “ When Aidan Became A Brother,” one of the most commonly banned picture books during the 2023-24 school year, according to PEN America. For example, Jyoti Rajan Gopal’s “Desert Queen,” a picture book about a young drag performer in India, won the Stonewall Book Award for LGBTQ+ books.