Shelved Out of Reach: How Canadian Publishers are Reacting to Shadow Banning
By Jessica Rose
Just two months into the 2023 school year, a leaked internal memo within the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) sparked widespread concern among authors, educators, parents, and publishers. It asked that significant access restrictions be placed on at least four children’s and young adult books nominated for the Forest of Reading—Princess Pru and the Ogre on the Hill (Owlkids Books), written by Maureen Fergus, illustrated by Danesh Mohiuddin; The Mystery of the Painted Fan, written by Linda Trinh, illustrated by Clayton Nguyen (Annick Press); Salma Writes a Book (Annick Press), written by Danny Ramadan, illustrated by Anna Bron; and, Jude Saves the World (Scholastic Press), written by Ronnie Riley.
The memo referenced the WCDSB’s Family Life curriculum, which is taught to students in Grade 6. According to the 2023 Family Life Education Curriculum Policy document, “The family is the first school of human values and parents are the first educators. We are honoured to join with families across the province as we support and nurture students through their learning in Catholic schools.”
According to the leaked memo, WCDSB practice was to “catalogue and place books that don’t align with the Family Life curriculum in the professional (PRO) section. Before students in junior kindergarten to Grade 6 may borrow these books from the library, a teacher must provide the Catholic context because students haven’t been instructed in the Family Life curriculum yet.”
In other words, books that include 2SLGBTQIA+ characters or family situations were shelved out of reach of WCDSB students. A joint statement by Annick Press, Owlkids Books, and Scholastic Canada were quick to give that a name, one that might be unfamiliar to many—shadow banning. Shadow banning indicates an internal policy that limits access to a publication in a number of possible ways, including requiring a student to ask permission to read it, moving it to a higher shelf, or discouraging teachers from using it in their classroom.
“As publishers, we stand behind our books and our creators and oppose any attempts to undermine the freedom to read. Books can serve as mirrors in which kids see themselves, their stories, and their communities reflected, providing an important sense of value, affirmation, and belonging. Books also serve as windows through which young people can see into other experiences and realities, building understanding and empathy across differences. At a time in which we’re facing immense challenges as a society, it is especially critical that all kids, including those who are 2SLGBTQIA+ and from other underrepresented communities, have access to stories that celebrate the rich and diverse experiences of the children we serve across the country,” reads the statement.
The statement reaffirmed the three publishers’ commitment to publishing stories that are representative of all children and in defending children’s right to read and access books.
“We're aware that when a book is banned there are many casualties. It's not only a ban on reading; it's a ban on the people whose stories will not be heard,” says Rick Wilks, co-founder of Annick Press, which has faced a number of censorship issues in its 50-year history, including bannings of The Bare Naked Book, Fatty Legs, and the beloved Robert Munsch classic, The Paper Bag Princess.
Wilks says a book banning motivates Annick to take a strong public stance in defence of the author, which can include a number of actions.
“We will issue a press release, enter into a discussion with the banners, and join forces with others who are deeply concerned,” he says, mentioning the Ontario Library Association (OLA), the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP), and the Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC), which released a statement in the wake of the WCDSB shadow banning, sharing its deep concern, demanding the WCDSB address public discussion of this policy direction. Wilks says, Annick also seeks media attention so that a public discussion can be encouraged on the consequences of book banning, including “the inherent threat to basic democratic principles such as providing equal access to all publications, without segregation.”
“Most importantly we join with our authors in speaking about how banning harms students, some of whom are struggling with issues, such as sexual orientation and gender identity,” says Wilks. “Banning tells students that their identities are wrong or shameful and can't be spoken about. It also prevents others from hearing their stories and developing empathy and an appreciation and tolerance of differences. We go hand-in-hand with our creators to publicly engage in this conversation,” says Wilks, adding that Annick works with its creators to jointly develop a strategic response.
Annick Press, Owlkids Books, and Scholastic Canada aren’t the only Canadian publishers with books that have been challenged. Another Canadian publisher that is no stranger to censorship is Orca Book Publishers, whose challenged titles include Naked: Not Your Average Sex Encyclopedia by Myriam Daguzan Bernier, On Our Street: Our First Talk About Poverty by Dr. Jillian Roberts and Jaime Casap, and Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words edited by Dr. Lindsay Herriot and Kate Fry. Orca’s book Pride Puppy! by Robin Stevenson, which depicts a young child and their family having a wonderful time celebrating Pride, was one of several books at the centre of a U.S. Supreme Court case when a group of Maryland parents launched a constitutional challenge to allow them to remove their children when certain books are being read aloud.
“At Orca, we actively encourage authors and illustrators to engage with sometimes difficult topics that reflect the realities young readers face. We work closely with creators to ensure these stories are told authentically and responsibly, offering editorial support and sensitivity and authenticity reads where appropriate,” says Andrew Wooldridge, publisher at Orca Book Publishers. “We believe in the power of storytelling to foster empathy, understanding and critical thinking.”
Currently, the front page of Orca's website is dedicated to freedom to read, ensuring their support of their authors and illustrators is among the first things people see when they visit. The webpage reads, “Our goal is to provide reading material that represents the diversity of human experience to readers of all ages. Orca aims to help young readers see themselves and others reflected in the books they read. We strive to produce books that illuminate the experiences of people of all ethnicities, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQ+. Providing young people with exposure to diversity through reading creates a more compassionate world.”
Wooldridge says that when a book is banned or challenged, Orca’s “first response is to support the author and the work. We assess the situation and ensure everyone is aligned on messaging.” Like Annick, Orca addresses the challenge publicly. “We reaffirm our commitment to intellectual freedom and access to diverse stories, often through statements and communication to those that are impacted by the challenges, like school boards,” says Wooldridge.
Public statements aren’t unique to the publishers mentioned in this article. In 2023, Groundwood Books’ publisher, Karen Li, published an article that said: “Many of us have heard of the recent surge in book challenges across the U.S. These challenges, which might have historically come from a concerned parent to a school librarian, have morphed over the past three years into a weapon wielded by Conservative organizations seeking to control the country’s cultural narrative,” she says, adding that organized and well-funded, these groups have formed “a startlingly effective network with influence over municipal and state politics, resulting in a spate of legislation that has removed kids’ books from shelves; stifled curricula relating to race, gender, and sexuality; cut library budgets; and—most chilling—held librarians criminally liable for distributing materials considered ‘harmful to minors.’”
Three Groundwood titles were among those targeted by Texas state representative Matt Krause in 2021: Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino and Isabelle Malenfant; Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell; and This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki.
Wooldridge says that he’s observed an increase in both formal challenges and quiet censorship over the last while, particularly in the U.S. market. “Books that are about LGBTQ+ issues and those that explore gender identity, sexuality and social justice themes are most frequently targeted,” he says, adding: “This makes us more committed than ever to publish and advocate for these stories.”
One way Orca responds to challenges is through “book resumes,” free resources that help teachers, librarians, parents, and community advocates support access when others demand that books are censored. “They highlight curriculum connections, themes, key discussion points, and author intent. These documents help defend books in classrooms and collections,” says Wooldridge.
Both Annick Press and Orca Book Publishers emphasize the importance of collaboration in facing challenges to intellectual freedom, both internally and across the wider publishing and education communities.
“The staff at Annick is a diverse group that are highly sensitive to the dangers of book banning,” says Wilks. “We work together as a company to bring this issue to public attention and/or engage in a discussion with the offending school or board.”
When asked about the impact of a book challenge, Wooldridge says, “In the past, books that are challenged often see a short-term sales increase due to increased visibility and support from freedom-to-read advocates.” However, long-term impacts of a challenge can be negative. “Exclusions at the institutional levels, such as being removed from school purchasing lists, can negatively impact sales. This appears to be happening now as purchasers are actively avoiding books that potentially may be challenged,” he adds.
Wilks notes similar trends. “Following the banning of the Forest of Reading books, we saw sales go up. The shadow banning brought attention to the titles and there was definitely a show of support from the public and the library community to acquire the titles.”
However, like Wooldridge, he notes that isn’t always the case. “With the anti-progressive agenda that is being imposed in the United States, we are seeing sales drop in the library sector due to the pressures imposed by right-wing school and library boards. In addition, the diminishment of purchasing budgets can work against building diverse collections. Fortunately, there are many voices crying out in opposition, but we have to be vigilant in the defence of our titles,” Wilks says.
Among the many voices crying out in opposition are parents, educators, and authors, as well as other publishers springing to action. In October, across the border, Penguin Random House made headlines for hiring Rosalie Stewart to fight book banning and push freedom to read legislation at the state level.
In their statement addressing WCDSB’s shadow banning, Annick Press, Owlkids Books, and Scholastic Canada were united and unwavering in their defence of children’s right to read and access books—and none have plans to let bans of any kind change the stories they publish.
“As a children’s publisher, we see it as our responsibility to ensure young readers have access to books that reflect diverse experiences and offer opportunities for dialogue around difficult subjects,” says Wooldridge. “We’re committed to publishing books that not only entertain but also empower and inspire.”
Shadow banning, and any type of book censorship, deprives students of exposure to diverse stories, and the internal memo sent within the Waterloo Catholic District School Board is just one example.
In their own statement about the incident, Annick Press said: “this action cuts readers off from publications that have been carefully curated by the OLA and effectively restricts their exposure to important themes and ideas. In this case, 2SLGBTQIA+ stories are targeted. In addition, we note that these books have been written by BIPOC authors and this shadow-ban, while ostensibly based on 2SLGBTQIA+ content, represents additional elements of exclusion.”
The statement goes on to say, “Unfortunately, this episode of denying access is not unique… This is a deeply disturbing trend—one which reveals trends towards homophobia, transphobia, and racism.”
Among the many other things they do, Annick’s public statement says that books are powerful and essential tools to break through isolation experienced by many young readers, fostering a sense of inclusiveness and acceptance. “It is not only a ban on reading: it’s a ban on the people whose stories will not be heard,” it reads.
It’s easy to be discouraged in the wake of mounting book challenges and practices like those exposed at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. However, authors, educators, and especially publishers are using it as an opportunity to defend the books they make and their belief that every child deserves to see themselves—and others—reflected in the books they access at school, a public library, or purchase at a bookstore.
Jessica Rose is a writer, reviewer and editor in Hamilton, Ontario.