Picture books featuring gay or transgender characters or naked butts — human or otherwise — were among the most frequently banned in U.S. public schools in the 2023-2024 school year.
PEN America counted more than 10,000 book bans in the 2023-2024 school year affecting more than 4,000 unique titles, with about 45% of the bans occurring in Florida and 36% in Iowa. Most bans targeted young adult or adult titles, but about 2% of bans were of picture books for the youngest readers. The heartwarming penguin adoption story And Tango Makes Three was the most frequently banned picture book of the 2023-2024 school year, followed by The Family Book, a colorful board book about different types of families, and Julián is a Mermaid, about a boy who uses a curtain as a mermaid tail.
For more on what kinds of bans are happening and where, read Banned in the U.S.A.: Beyond the Shelves.
Most Banned Picture Books
1. And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell, Justin Richardson, and Henry Cole, 7 bans
The heartwarming true story of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo who adopt a baby penguin.
2 (tie). The Family Book, by Todd Parr, 5 bans
The Family Book celebrates families of all kinds — big or small, messy or clean, or with two moms or two dads.
2 (tie). Julián Is a Mermaid, by Jessica Love, 5 bans
Inspired by women in costumes, Julián uses a curtain and other household items to transform into a mermaid.
4 (tie). When Aidan Became a Brother, by Kyle Lukoff and Kaylani Juanita, 4 bans
When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl until he settled into life as a boy. So when his parents announce that they’re going to have a baby, Aidan wants to make sure everything is right for his younger sibling.
4 (tie). Draw Me a Star, by Eric Carle, 4 bans
This 1998 title from the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar features a young artist bringing the world to life around him. It also features an image of an Adam and Eve-like couple without clothes.
5 (tie). This Day in June, by Gayle E. Pitman and Kristyna Litten, 3 bans
This Day in June features a pride celebration, with facts about LGBTQ+ history and culture.
5 (tie). Prince and Knight, by Daniel Haack and Stevie Lewis, 3 bans
In this book published in partnership with GLAAD, Prince and Knight find their own fairy tale ending.
5 (tie). Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, by Christine Baldacchino and Isabelle Malenfant, 3 bans
Morris likes to play in the dress-up center at school, even though classmates say dresses are for girls.
5 (tie). Milo Imagines the World, by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson, 3 bans
On a long subway ride, Milo imagines the lives of people around him. When he discovers another boy getting off at the same stop, he learns to questions his assumptions.
5 (tie). In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak, 3 bans
“Milk in the batter!” This Caldecott Honor book features Mickey’s adventures as the night bakers make cake. A Moms for Liberty leader called nude drawings of Mickey “harmful to minors.”
5 (tie). Baseball Saved Us, by Ken Mochizuku and Dom Lee, 3 bans
A moving story inspired by true events of playing baseball in a Japanese American internment camp during World War II.
5 (tie). A Is for Activist, by Innosanto Nagara, 3 bans
An alphabet board book preparing young activists to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, civil rights, and other progressive causes.
12 (tie). Unicorns Are the Worst! by Alex Willan, 2 bans
This glittery picture book, told from the point of view of an envious goblin, features an image of the goblin’s butt, which a local Moms for Liberty leader called “pornographic.”
12 (tie). Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, 2 bans
In this bestseller from the Questioneers series, Sofia tries to convince her town to build a new park. Book banners zeroed in on a pin on her grandfather’s hat that appears to resemble a Pride symbol.
12 (tie). Pink Is for Boys, by Robb Pearlman and Eda Kaban, 2 bans
A message that pink is for everyone emphasizes a message that life is not color-coded, encouraging children to love racing or unicorns, no matter their gender.
12 (tie). Our Subway Baby, by Peter Mercurio and Leo Espinosa, 2 bans
The heartwarming true story of a baby found abandoned in the subway and adopted by two men.
12 (tie). Ogilvy, by Deborah Underwood and T.L. McBeth, 2 bans
In Ogilvy’s town, bunnies in dresses play ball and knit, while bunnies in sweaters make art and climb. Ogilvy wants to do it all, and won’t let clothes get in the way.
12 (tie). No, David! by David Shannon, 2 bans
This Caldecott Honor book features a boy serving up mischief — including running through the street with no clothes on. Kids love it; book banners don’t.
12 (tie). It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity, by Theresa Thorn and Noah Grigni, 2 bans
A child-appropriate exploration of gender identity posits simply that some people are boys, some are girls, and some are both, neither, or in between.
12 (tie). I Am Billie Jean King, by Brad Meltzer and Chrisopher Eliopoulos, 2 bans
Part of a popular biography series about history’s icons, this picture book explores the life of tennis champion Billie Jean King and her struggle for equality in sports.
12 (tie). Harriet Gets Carried Away, by Jessie Sima, 2 bans
Harriet enjoys playing dress-up and gets swept away by a colony of penguins. The apparently controversial part: She has two dads.
12 (tie). Different Can Be Great: All Kinds of Families, by Lisa Bullard and Renée Kurilla, 2 bans
When Makayla’s family is about to change, she goes on a quest to find out about different kinds of families.
12 (tie). Bathe the Cat, by Alice B. McGinty and David Roberts, 2 bans
This hilarious rhyming picture book features two dads deciphering scrambled letters in an attempt to get their chores done and a cat who really doesn’t want a bath.
