Top 15+ children’s books that would raise eyebrows in today’s social climate

Times change, and so do our impressions of even the most cherished children’s literature. Read with today’s more culturally sensitive and gender-equitable lens, these famous stories are now apt to spark controversy and raise eyebrows.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Pippi Longstocking, or Pippi Långstrump in its original Swedish, is a 1945 book inspired by a story author Astrid Lindgren told her daughter at bedtime. The red-haired title protagonist has long been a favourite because of her strength and intelligence, but the book has been criticized for using offensive words and presenting racist stereotypes of Black people and children.

If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss

The silly rhymes and colourful characters of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, are some of the most recognizable in childrens lit. But many of his books, including If I Ran the Zoo have been called out for racist depictions, including racist drawings of African characters, and a description of Asian characters having “eyes at a slant.” The books inclusion in several libraries has recently been challenged and cancelled at kids story-time.

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Considered a literary classic, Mark Twains 1884 adventure novel is controversial for its use of racial slurs and its portrayal of slavery through the character of Jim. In the 1950s, members of the African-American community and the NAACP began challenging the books place on required reading lists in some school systems.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

The tale of the boy who never grew up was first produced as a play by Scottish writer J.M. Barrie in 1904 and has since become one of the most famous childrens stories around. Barrie apparently intended some of Peters most questionable actions, such as killing his fellow Lost Boys when they started to age, to be villainous. Perhaps less intentional but definitely offensive are racist tropes, particularly towards Princess Tiger Lily and other Native American characters, who are called “savages” and “redskins.”

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

The famous picture book about an African-American boy named Peter discovering the magic of a snowy day in the city ruffled feathers when it was published in 1962, mostly because of the way previous white authors had handled Black characters in literature. Author Ezra Jack Keats, a white man, said he wasnt trying to make any statement about race when he wrote the book, and even amid controversy, it won the prestigious Caldecott Medal.

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

Originally written in 1812, the famous adventure novel tells the story of a Swiss pastor, his wife and their four sons who learn to survive when theyre shipwrecked on a desert island. Fortunately, the father knows a lot about flora, fauna and the power of family. Unfortunately, the novels stereotypical descriptions of “savages” from nearby islands is less wholesome. In 2020, Disney added a racist content warning to their 1960 film adaptation of the novel.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd, the 1947 picture book Goodnight Moon was digitally altered in 2005 to remove a cigarette and ashtray from Hurds dustjacket photo. While smoking might not have been taboo at the time of publication, Hurds original illustrations also included a cows udder and a mouse and bunny in the same bed until Brown asked him to change them.

The Berenstain Bears series by Stan and Jan Berenstain

The wholesome stories of Papa, Mama, Brother and Sister were known for offering valuable life lessons in more than 200 different Berenstain Bears books. However, the traditional family structure and outdated gender roles, like Sister having to hide her ability to best Brother at baseball, tree climbing and running to spare his feelings, reinforce sexist ideas.

The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop

The story of five brothers with different special talents, but who look identical, has been in print since 1938. It was one of the first popular kids books to show Asian characters. Unfortunately, its also been controversial for promoting Asian stereotypes. A modernized version titled Seven Chinese Brothers was published in 1990, and in 2003, to give it a feminist reclamation, The Seven Chinese Sisters was released.

Curious George by H.A. Rey

With an impressive 237 titles in the collection, Curious George remains one of the most popular childrens book series ever. However, Reys early books are seen as promoting both poaching and the slave trade, in the way George is kidnapped from Africa and brought to America by the Man in the Yellow Hat.

Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The first book in Laura Ingalls Wilders Little House on the Prairie series was published in 1935 and was based on the authors childhood as an American pioneer. Beloved for its portrayal of a family of hardworking homesteaders, the original book and its sequels have been criticized for stereotypical depictions of African Americans and Native Americans.

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

The 1903 bestseller tells the story of a regular dog named Buck who learns to survive and thrive in the Alaskan Gold Rush. As an adventure story, the novel is lauded, but the insensitive cultural references and brutal depictions of violence between and inflicted upon animals are less palatable today.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Roald Dahls 1964 story about an impoverished boy who goes on an enchanted tour of Willy Wonkas chocolate factory is so adored that its been adapted for film numerous times, but some aspects of the story are problematic. Though later changed, the original Oompa-Loompas were written as Black pygmies who came from “the deepest and darkest part of the African jungle” to work as Wonkas slaves.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

NPR host Madeleine Brand summed up the perceived problem with Shel Silversteins 1964 classic The Giving Tree when she told the Los Angeles Times, “This tree—the mother—keeps giving and giving and giving to a child who keeps taking and taking and taking.” While some still see it as a parable about parental love, others have criticized it for promoting co-dependency and selfishness.