After outrage publisher pulls happy slaves childrens book. Scholastic withdraws george washington cake book from. Ramin ganeshram born june 21, 1968 is an american journalist, chef and cookbook author. George washingtons birthday cake is an outstanding picture book for a young child. Scholastic initially defended the book, saying that it took a nuanced but fair view. The childrens book authored by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton drew criticism for its pictures of smiling slaves the real hercules escaped to freedom on washingtons. Childrens book recalled for superficial portrayal of slavery. The author, ramin ganeshram, defended her work in a blog post. Scholastic said in a statement the book may give a false impression. The author of a childrens book pulled last month because of its smiling depiction of slaves says she objected to the illustrations and had. Scholastic is pulling a new picture book about george washington and his slaves amid objections it sentimentalizes a brutal part of american history. Scholastic pulls birthday cake for george washington. New statement about the picture book a birthday cake for.
Ramin ganeshram, a former journalist for the new york times and forbes, penned the book. The author, ms ganesham, has taken great pains to show what life was like inside the washington household for slaves, but especially for an exceptionally talented chef. Scholastic pulls childrens book criticized for depiction of happy slaves. Scholastic pulls george washington book after slavery backlash. On january 5, scholastic released a birthday cake for george washington, written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton. Written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, the book was released on jan. Publisher pulls george washington kids book for upbeat portrayal of slavery.
Slavery was a complex institution, and in fact, some slaves found happiness and pride in some of their tasks, ramin ganeshram, the author of the book. In january 2016, her childrens book a birthday cake for george washington, about u. Scholastic pulls childrens book criticized for depiction of happy. Visit scholastic, the worlds largest childrens book publisher. Under pressure, scholastic recalls racist childrens book. A firestorm erupted when scholastic released a childrens book early this month, a birthday cake for george washington, by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, featuring smiling enslaved people baking a cake for george washington. The book, written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, tells the story of washingtons slave cook hercules. Criticised scholastic book on washington slave pulled. A birthday cake for george washington by ramin ganeshram. Whether you need a classic kids book or classroomproven teaching materials, discover it at scholastic. The cover of the book a birthday cake for george washington by ramin ganeshram. Publisher pulls george washington kids book for upbeat. On this page, writer ramin ganeshram cites a biographical fact that is omitted from the books central narrative namely, that washingtons.
Childrens publisher scholastic has ceased distribution of a book that. Written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, it is narrated by delia, the daughter of hercules, one of george washingtons slaves who worked for him as a cook. A birthday cake for george washington, by author ramin ganeshram and illustrator vanessa brantleynewton, is narrated by the daughter of george washingtons slave, hercules, who is preparing a cake for the presidents birthday. All purchases earn scholastic rewards for your nominated school. President george washingtons slaves who look for ingredients to bake a birthday cake for their owner, was published by scholastic.
Scholastic pulls childrens book criticized for depiction. Childrens book a birthday cake for george washington. Scholastic is announcing today that we are stopping the distribution of the book entitled a birthday cake for george washington, by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by. While we have great respect for the integrity and scholarship of the author, illustrator, and editor, we believe that, without more. Scholastic pulls controversial george washington book. But anjali must keep her wish a secret from her family, who thinks anjalis passions are beneath her. A trinidadianamerican girls dream is challenged by her family thirteenyearold anjalis life is rich with the smell of curry from her parents roti shop and an absolute passion for food. Ramin ganeshram is an american journalist, chef and cookbook author who writes about american and caribbean foodways and culinary culture. Ramin ganeshram says she expressed concerns to scholastic. A birthday cake for george washington hardcover january 5, 2016 by ramin ganeshram author, vanessa brantleynewton illustrator scholastic press isbn. After a torrent of criticism, scholastic has decided to stop distributing a birthday cake for. Thirteenyearold anjalis life is rich with the smell of traditional trinidadian and indian foods and curries from her parents roti shop and an absolute passion for food. This image provided by scholastic shows the cover of the book a birthday cake for george washington by by ramin ganeshram.
Ramin ganeshram, wrote in an appended message in the book that hercules was eventually freed but his daughter. Criticized book on washington slave pulled mail online. Scholastic is announcing today that we are stopping the distribution of the book entitled a birthday cake for george washington, by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, and will accept all returns. The back cover portrayed george washington and his enslaved chef, hercules, arminarm, like best buddies. January 17, 2016 scholastic is announcing today that we are stopping the distribution of the book entitled a birthday cake for george washington, by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, and will accept all returns.
Ramin ganeshram says she expressed concerns to scholastic but. A birthday cake for george washington by by ramin ganeshram. Scholastic pulls book about george washingtons slaves. Just remember that whenever scholastic hypocritically pontificate against the banning of books during the next banned book week.
Amid controversy, scholastic pulls picture book about. Ramin ganeshram is a veteran journalist who has written for many prestigious publications such as the new york times, newsday, national geographic traveler, and bon appetit, among others. The book, written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, was published on jan. The book tells the story of hercules and delia baking a birthday cake for washington. More than anything, anjali wants to be a chef who competes on a kids cooking reality tv show. A birthday cake for george washington is a childrens book published by scholastic and first released on january 5, 2016. New statement about the picture book a birthday cake for george. A novel by ganeshram, ramin and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Scholastic pulls childrens book starring george washingtons. Scholastic pulls a birthday cake for george washington. Scholastic pulls a birthday cake for george washington amid slavery backlash the cover of the book a birthday cake for george washington by ramin ganeshram. Why the banning of a birthday cake for george washington. A firestorm erupted when scholastic released a childrens book early this month, a birthday cake for george washington, by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, featuring. New statement about the picture book a birthday cake for george washington.
A firestorm erupted when scholastic released a childrens book early this month, a birthday cake for george washington, by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, featuring smiling slaves baking a cake for george washington. Childrens book paints slaves as happy bakers for george washington. The writer and journalist ramin ganeshram, who wrote a birthday cake for george washington, subsequently recalled by scholastic. Scholastic pulls birthday cake for george washington book time.
Critics such as the school library journal argued that the book presented an unrealistically sunny portrait of slavery. Scholastic ceases distribution of controversial picture book. Scholastic january 15th, 2016 over the past few days, a birthday cake for george washington, the new picture book by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, has generated an important discussion about the depiction of slavery in childrens books. The publishers decision comes after the text, by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, was criticized for its depiction of slavery.