Librarian faces backlash for rejecting book donation from Melania Trump

[Eugene]

Source: CBS/AP

CBS/AP September 29, 2017, 8:04 AM

Librarian faces backlash for rejecting book donation from Melania Trump

Last Updated Sep 29, 2017 8:39 AM EDT

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – A librarian at the Cambridgeport Elementary School in Massachusetts is facing backlash for declining a shipment of books from first lady Melania Trump.

The school's librarian, Liz Phipps Soeiro, wrote a lengthy editorial for the Horn Book's Family Reading blog explaining why her school does not need the books.

The librarian's school was among one from each state chosen to receive 10 Dr. Seuss books from the first lady for National Read a Book Day. But the librarian penned a letter for a blog saying her school has "plenty of resources" and doesn't need the books. She called Dr. Seuss "a bit of a cliche."

The mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts – the hometown of Dr. Seuss (born Theodor Geisel) – was not amused.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/librarian-faces-backlash-for-rejecting-book-donation-from-melania-trump/

[elleng]

1. Not at all 'amusing.'

[TheDebbieDee]

2. I think the Librarian was referencing the fact

Last edited Fri Sep 29, 2017, 06:05 PM - Edit history (1)

That the illustrations for some of his earlier works are racially insensitive...

Nobody's perfect, not even Dr Seuss! Have a look at some of his early artwork.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&authuser=0&biw=1280&bih=636&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=racist+dr+seuss+illustrations&oq=racist+dr+seuss+illustrations&gs_l=psy-ab.3...202940.202940.0.205425.1.1.0.0.0.0.152.152.0j1.1.0.dummy_maps_web_fallback...0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.Jr0A6vC4snE

[radical noodle]

3. I would probably have had a drawing for the kids in the lower grades

and given the books to them to have as their own. So many children have no books at home (although I have no idea about that area of Massachusetts).