Oregon mom won't return 'Bunny Suicide' book
Monday, October 20, 2008 6:13 AM PDT
By The Associated Press
Printable version
E-mail this articleHALSEY, Ore. — One way or another, a Halsey woman promises to keep a popular cartoon book out of the Central Linn High School library.
Taffey Anderson says "The Book of Bunny Suicides" is not appropriate for anyone, but especially children. She inspected the book her 13-year-old son checked out of the library, and what she saw convinced her to never return it.
The 2003 book by British author Andy Riley is a collection of cartoons showing a rabbit attempting to end his life in bizarre ways. Anderson's son told her he checked it out because his friends said it was funny.
"It is a comic book, but that's not funny. Not at all," Anderson told the Albany Democrat-Herald newspaper. "I don't care if your kid is 16, 17, 18. It's wrong."
Anderson contacted Principal Julie Knoedler, who told her about the district's book-challenge policy.
Anderson plans to fill out the forms, but she's not taking any chances. Once the review is over, regardless of the outcome, she plans to burn it.
"They're not getting this book back," she said, adding that if the library replaces it: "I'll have somebody else check it out and I'll keep that one. I'm just disgusted by the whole ordeal."
Knoedler said Anderson must bring the book back for the committee to review it. If she refuses, the committee will have to buy another, at $13, and charge it to the family. If Anderson doesn't pay, her son will be banned from taking out any more books.
"That's really unfortunate, because he's obviously a kid who's interested in checking things out from the library," Knoedler said. "We won't put it back on the shelf. We'll put it out of circulation until the review is done."
Jean Townes, library consultant for the school district, said library books are ordered in batches, usually based on recommendations from established academic sites.
The book was on a young-adult reader list recommended by the American Library Association, she said, and she knows other school libraries in Oregon have purchased it.
The book, however, has been turned away by some school libraries. And in Shanghai, China, a bookseller pulled it last month after reports that several children had attempted suicide, with at least one boy dying.
Scott Keeney, the children's librarian for the Albany Public Library, said he doesn't think the book is appropriate for the children's section, but thinks it's OK on the adult shelf.
"I looked at a few of the cartoons and they were funny. Kind of mature, a little twisted and black. Some youth love that, some don't," he said.
Keeney compared Riley's drawings to the 1988 Simon Bond cartoon book, "101 Uses for a Dead Cat."
"Every family is different, and the range of community values in fiction, in movies, nonfiction, is so broad it's astonishing," he said. "Some families, you'd be astonished at what they allow or disallow on all sides of the open-information-for-children spectrum."
Mrs. Pellwerds wrote on Oct 20, 2008 7:57 AM:
" I'm so glad we have strong people like Mrs. Anderson to protect me from fictional cartoon characters. Silly rabbit... "
Blogger Jogger wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:01 AM:
" Oh Goody! Another crack pot deciding the moral code for us all! Too bad she lives in Oregon, I know she'd just love Dino Rossi! "
hey now wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:04 AM:
" As a parent she has the right to do her best to prevent her son from reading material she find offensive until the child is old enough to make his own decisions. That however does NOT give her the right to prevent anyone else to make their own decisions, let alone adults who may have wanted to check the book out. Censorship, be it government enforced or renegade mother, is unconstitutional. "
duckguy wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:09 AM:
" This lady needs to drop the idea that she knows what's best for all living things. Tell your son he can't read it, but you don't have the authority, or the right to decide what is best for other people's children. "
DW wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:15 AM:
" Well DestinyN, if "Censorship is a cancer", why don't we let them put playboy and playgirl in the high school library?? A cartoon book about suicide is no laughing matter. Esp with our kids today. So many kids have been put on psychotropic drugs to help make them behave, that when they get their hands of a suicide book, it can have consequences. Example, did you ever watch Bugs Bunnys or Road Runner cartoons from the 40's and 50's. There was a lot of violence and killing and even some racism. Those cartoons are not shown anywhere anymore. I was never put on psychotropic drugs, but if I was to watch some of the stuff that was done to the coyote in Road Runner when on mind altering drugs, maybe I would try to jump off a cliff or stick and gun in my face and pull the trigger thinking I would live. I think when you inject thoughts of suicide in young people you are playing with fire, esp if they are on prescription psychotropic drugs. "
stargoddess wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:41 AM:
" Ummm...I watched ALL of the Bugs Bunny/Road Runner cartoons when I was a kid. Never wanted to hit my sister with an anvil or push her off a cliff or tie myself to a great big rocket to catch the roadrunner. Because we knew that it was only a CARTOON!
A comic book, a song or a television show alone does not MAKE someone commit suicide. There are many other factors involved...IMO "
A comic book, a song or a television show alone does not MAKE someone commit suicide. There are many other factors involved...IMO "
lumasa wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:45 AM:
" Good for you mom! Since when is suicide an appropriate subject matter for a 13 year old? These are children we are talking about. Children are not little adults, they are children and need our guidance and protection. I don't shelter my kids from the realities of life (ie. death of a family member, or a neighbor's divorce) but I do filter and censor to be appropriate for their age level. "
Mr40cal wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:46 AM:
" DW, Thank god we got rid of Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, and other "violent, racist cartoons" of yesterday. The children of today are so much more intelligent, respectful, and generous then they used to be. "
Louie wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:09 AM:
" Ever hear of 'freedom of speech?' Just because something is published and available to the public doesn't mean you have to read it.
There is a wealth of disgusting, sick material that is published along with hoards of wonderful, educational, mystical fiction and fact out there. I don't imagine we can or should ever try to control that. We can read what we choose and use good judgement in what our children read. I would add that the same goes for TV. Monitor what your children watch on television, access on their computers as well as what they read. "
There is a wealth of disgusting, sick material that is published along with hoards of wonderful, educational, mystical fiction and fact out there. I don't imagine we can or should ever try to control that. We can read what we choose and use good judgement in what our children read. I would add that the same goes for TV. Monitor what your children watch on television, access on their computers as well as what they read. "
DUH wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:16 AM:
" Really DW, you're comparing a book of comics to Playboy and Playgirl? That's laughable. If this lady didn't like the book she should have taken it to the school board and ran it through the proper channels. Instead she plays the part of a self-righteous nitwit and thinks she alone can tell parents whats good or bad for their kids. What she did and how she did it in effect is give the book tons of free publicity. Now I envision tons of people running to the bookstores to get a copy so they can see what it's all about. I'm reserving my copy today. If you don't like the content of some of the books, become a board member. At the very least, take it to the board for them to decide. She, being one person, has no right telling my kids what they can or cant read. "
mommy6 wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:18 AM:
" Oh thank you so much for helping me raise my child. Cause I wouldn't know what to do without people like this thinking they know whats best for MY CHILD! Give it a rest! You don't like it don't read it. Don't want your child to read it tell them NO but don't think you have a right to tell me what my children should or shouldn't read. As for the cartoons you can still buy them on video and you can bet I let my kids watch them and TOM and JERRY. Guess what they don't try to harm each other just because they saw it on t.v. "
TheGenius wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:32 AM:
" Should this book be banned? No, it should not. Is this book appropriate for a high school library? No, it is not. Is it censorship to determine what is appropriate reading material in a high school library? It can be, but I don't think that is the case here. In this situation, a parent took it upon herself to make that determination, which bothers me because the school should have put more thought into this. Good for the mom to monitor what her kids are getting into. Bad on the school for being careless with a book that is bound to stir up controversy. "
DW wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:57 AM:
" I think a couple of you missed my point. 1. I have an entire library of Bugs Bunny cartoons. My teenagers and I watch them all the time. I wish they would put them back on tv. 2. My main point is something has changed from when I was a kid and today. When I was a boy, we had a gun club at school. We would bring our guns to school, check-in the ammo at the office and put our guns in our locker. After school we would good shooting with an instructor on the schools shooting range. Now, we put our kids on drugs for acting like kids and expect that there won't be any consequences. We didn't have school shootings in the 70's and 80's. Now, some kids are so full of pyschotropic drugs to keep them in line, that when they go off them or something changes their perception of reality is not right. My main point is stop drugging our kids. Books about suicide and killing are not healthy for children that are on mind altering drugs, either illegal or perscription. "
UW Squirrels wrote on Oct 20, 2008 10:13 AM:
" That book is hilarious! I have the poster on my wall. But that's beside the point. Even so, Anderson has no right to take this matter into her own hands. "
DestinyN wrote on Oct 20, 2008 10:22 AM:
" I watched Looney Toons a lot when I was younger. Heck, I still even watch it today. So are you, DW, telling me that I shouldn't watch cartoons because with my depression I might stick a gun to my head since Bugs Bunny did it? Get real. Just because a kid's on antidepressants doesn't mean he can't distinguish a cartoon from real life and is gonna drop an anvil on someone's head just to watch that person turn into an accordion. For crying out loud, if you don't want your child to read something, TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOUR CHILD and explain to him or her why you don't want him or her to read it. Don't take it away from everyone with the excuse that if it's not suitable in your home, it shouldn't be suitable period. "
Pinky wrote on Oct 20, 2008 10:23 AM:
" Just another example of how parents don't spend enough time teaching their children right from wrong, and fact from fiction. It's a fictional book designed for someone's entertainment. I would be willing to bet that this mom doesn't let her son watch tv & movies, or let him play any video games either. Plus I agree with some of the other comments posted, who the heck is this lady to tell me what is or is not appropriate for MY child!! Look lady, you've made your statement, we hear you, now give the book back and follow the proper channels to contest this book in circulation. Geesh! "
fremont wrote on Oct 20, 2008 10:41 AM:
" I bet she goes after "Alice is Wonderland" next.
Censorship from overly protective parents isn't exactly new. It seems like there's always someone. Maybe it's not age appropriate, but theft is theft, and she should be fined and if she won't return the book, forced to pay the replacement fee. Tax dollars paid for that book - she can burn it all she wants, but should still pay the replacement value.
There was another group of people who liked to burn books. They were called Nazis. "
Censorship from overly protective parents isn't exactly new. It seems like there's always someone. Maybe it's not age appropriate, but theft is theft, and she should be fined and if she won't return the book, forced to pay the replacement fee. Tax dollars paid for that book - she can burn it all she wants, but should still pay the replacement value.
There was another group of people who liked to burn books. They were called Nazis. "
Used to Live in Kalama wrote on Oct 20, 2008 11:02 AM:
" Everyone here saying that censorhip is a bad thing....If we were just to let anyone and everyone do whatever they want, whenever they want, there would be 100% pure chaos! I firmly believe that the lack of censorship in the media today is half (if not more than half) the cause of the disrespect and violence coming from the youth today. Parents don't teach their kids right from wrong. They ignore them and put them in front of "kill everything you see" video games, and "have sex with everyone" tv shows and movies. I AM ALL FOR CENSORSHIP!!!! You go, MOM! "
dogshead wrote on Oct 20, 2008 11:06 AM:
" I agree with DW...let's put playboy and playgirl in high school librarys. I've always considered them educational. "
Realist wrote on Oct 20, 2008 11:30 AM:
" I can't help but wonder if this woman realizes that her keeping the book from the library will make kids want to see it all the more. She just did a brilliant thing for the local bookstore and the author. Way to go, lady! "
Diesel wrote on Oct 20, 2008 11:37 AM:
" It's amazing that all of you who say she has no right will also say that no "adult" type of magazine should be allowed in the schools. How can you say no to censorship for one type of print media but then yes to censorship of another type. Censorship is still censorship no matter what the material.
DW I understood what your point was. And it is/was quit valid. "
DW I understood what your point was. And it is/was quit valid. "
biasmedia wrote on Oct 20, 2008 11:43 AM:
" first hasley is a maninite community for people who dont know what they are just think of Amish lite,so you comments on full Censorship is false she dont even have a t.v and why would i library have a kid book a bought suicide when teen suicide rate is the highest ever im sure if your kid killed them self and the book was next to them your liberal butt would sue "
Crystal wrote on Oct 20, 2008 12:33 PM:
" If you don't want your kid to read that book, then fine, don't let them read it. Most people miss the point with controversial books anyhow. Like with Huckleberry Finn. Just because it has the n-word in the book several times, does not mean it's racist. It's actually quite the opposite. There are kids with suicidal thoughts out there already so burning this book isn't going to stop them...but it might make them laugh and be in a good mood instead of being so sad and serious all the time. "
Pinky wrote on Oct 20, 2008 1:18 PM:
" Ok biasmedia.... your comment makes no sense... it reads like a grammar flunky wrote it "you comments on full censorship is false" your poor grammar leaves me unable to tell what the point was that you were trying to make?....
And yes she is just drawing more attention and gaining free publicity for this book with her actions.... Maybe she is just angry that her parents named her after a stretchy candy??? LOL "
And yes she is just drawing more attention and gaining free publicity for this book with her actions.... Maybe she is just angry that her parents named her after a stretchy candy??? LOL "
tallsy wrote on Oct 20, 2008 1:20 PM:
" She is doing the right thing. The Library needs to relaize that these kind of books are not to be in the School Library. I hope that the Library takes all these kind if books out for good "
TheGenius wrote on Oct 20, 2008 1:39 PM:
" Well, Taffey is probably a better first name then Abba-Zabba.... "
Pinky wrote on Oct 20, 2008 2:01 PM:
" Or Zagnut.... hey genius wouldn't it be funny if her maiden name was laffey.... hee hee laffey, taffey!! "
somedude wrote on Oct 20, 2008 2:47 PM:
" Come on your all over looking why this book was made, this books is obviously for all the Emo Kids! Somone has to teach them how to punch their own ticket the proper way! you know just like sex ed books educate kids on not to have sex....duh! "
Entertained wrote on Oct 20, 2008 2:54 PM:
" The bottom line is, this book should not be in the schools at all. It's obviously available for purchase so if someone wants their kid to read it they can go buy it for them. Unfortunately there are too many unstable kids that come from unstable families that will get the wrong idea from the book. "
AmericanGirl wrote on Oct 20, 2008 2:56 PM:
" Hey when one women can change prayer in schools and one women can change the laws on abortions, one women will be able to change the books we have in our schools. Unless America has changed that much! "
stag wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:27 PM:
" I also watch Bugs Bunny and all the other looney tunes. So I don't see nothing wrong with that. What I do have a problem with is that this woman broke the whole chain of camand and didn't use the right channels to make sure that this book is never seen again. In a way I'm with this woman for what she is doing. Where I'm not, is she is telling her kids that it is alright to take things in there your own hands, no matter what. Now the where part someone was saying that it is alright to have a playboy or playgirl in the schools I thought that was a very bad piont to say to anyone. I don't think that we should have cencership but with kids I that we should watch what they read and watch. Then if they see or read something we as parents can help them out understanding it. "
Realist wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:29 PM:
" Ok, I can respect that suicide is a very serious matter and a lot of emotional people think there is no other way out; especially hormonal teenagers. Now, having said that, this book is meant to be nothing more than fun. If anyone has seen the pictures, you will understand that. (If you haven't Google "Bunny Suicide" and you will see some of them.)
The motives are so far fetched; I mean come on-- the bunny putting in the movie "Fatal Attraction" for the heartbroken woman sitting in the chair? Or the bunny trying to use a corkscrew to remove his brain? Puh-leaze!
Life is way too serious-lighten up, people. "
The motives are so far fetched; I mean come on-- the bunny putting in the movie "Fatal Attraction" for the heartbroken woman sitting in the chair? Or the bunny trying to use a corkscrew to remove his brain? Puh-leaze!
Life is way too serious-lighten up, people. "
just a thought wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:30 PM:
" Ok I will admit it, I watched Bugs Bunny and Road Runner as a kid, I even allow my kids to watch it now...and I at times wanted to shove my sister off of a cliff, of course that had nothing to do with the cartoon. I do agree that in this day and age we need to watch what our kids are doing and reading at all times. I do think that holding the book ransom is a bit extreme, we don't have a right to censor other peoples children but I think it is great that she is taking it to the board and wanting it out of the school. It really doesn't belong there. "
the Grateful Dad wrote on Oct 20, 2008 5:53 PM:
" Oh, yeah, Louie, the kids of today are SO much more intelligent! That's why the average high school graduate in the U.S. has the knowledge base equal to only a 6th grade education! That's why our kids are taking guns to school and killing one another. That's why suicide, pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, and violent crimes have increased exponentially in the past 20 years in our youth! They're MORE INTELLIGENT! THAT'S IT! "
cheney119 wrote on Oct 20, 2008 7:16 PM:
" Revolving doors, a toaster, a cricket ball, a boomerang, a hand-grenade, the shining sun, a magnifying glass, smoking of several cigarettes and bowling balls are all featured as suicidal tools. It's a joke and lack of a sense of humor is a sign of very low intelligence and this Taffey Anderson is about as dumb as they come. Does anybody else notice the female propensity to fret over absolutely nothing. Does she think her son will try to toast himself to death as is depicted on the cover (bunny getting into a toaster). This is a little harmless black humor which SHE OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T GET IT. I wonder what she does think is funny? "
woah-woah-woah wrote on Oct 20, 2008 7:23 PM:
" I am so glad we have people out there protecting us from drawings of bunnies in peril. Really, really meaningful effort she has going there. "
greenbean wrote on Oct 20, 2008 10:43 PM:
" I understand that the book may be funny, and just a joke to kids. But suicide is a very serious subject. To me, the bottom line is: does it belong in a school setting, is it educational? Obviously the answer is no. So for the school to hide behind the excuse "it was part of a package purchase" is terrible. They need to teach by example, take ownership, and solve this disagreement in a professional way. For them to threaten to buy a new copy and charge the family is just pathetic. Take a positive approach to the problem, and solve it so that all side are satisfied. It sounds to me like the book does not belong in school. Maybe they could donate it to the local public library, so that it would be available to check out. I personally don't like my tax dollars being spent on a silly book like that. "
cheney119 wrote on Oct 21, 2008 3:18 AM:
" This is that low intelligence I was discussing. Who the hell are you telling others, school setting or not what they should read, let alone what is funny or silly. Do any of you remember The Mr. Bill Show on Saturday Night Live, he was a clay figure and that mean Slugo killed him in dozens of ways. I'm sure it produced thousands of serial killers. Obviously Greenbean I don't want my tax dollars killing Iraqis, but no body asked me or gave me an option about the taxes. Boy the world must be a simple place for you. Screw her side she's wrong and has no right to dictate to everyone what is acceptable and neither do you. "
rythymaxe wrote on Oct 21, 2008 7:04 AM:
" If in Shanghai it contributed to children trying to take their lives, and even one succeeding is too much, they it needs to be pulled. As for all these people crying cencorship and others determining their moral character, don't we have watchdog groups for all sorts of things? Don't we have one for the current administration and their actions? If so, then what is wrong with having another to protect was goes into our children's minds. With parents having to work two jobs to make ends meet, the time left to watch their children's impressionable minds seems to be very limited. Watchdog groups are only a guideline. This woman is going beyond that by not returning the book. That's up to her as she will have to pay the book's cost to replace. That's her decision. I have to wonder what's wrong with authors who are so limited in scope they choose suicide in rabbit form for the content of their book. I guess I can't say one way or the other as I haven't read the book, but facts don't lie. If kids are hurting themselves due to this book, it needs to be reexamined at the very least. Losing a child anyway is worse than dying yourself. I know this firsthand. If we look beyond our paranoia, maybe we will see this woman is doing us a great favor and this author has deep problems they are working through in the form of writing. "
rythymaxe wrote on Oct 21, 2008 7:11 AM:
" D.W., please leave Warner Bros alone. Look at the cartoons available today. They are mindless junk with no artistic value whatsoever. A meatball, fries, and milkshake as superheros! Apparently, our cartoonists heads are still chock full of ideas. Bugs, Daffy, Yosemite Sam,and the Roadrunner all rock! I understand this is just my opinion, but at least they made me laugh instead of roll my eyes because the world's just been saved by a living meat ball. *Sticking finger down throat!* "
Pinky wrote on Oct 21, 2008 9:16 AM:
" Greenbean... read the article again. The school orders books in batches, they are not hiding behind any excuse of a "package purchase" The whole point of this story is that she is not even giving the school the opportunity to remove the book from the library. She is playing judge, jury, and executioner. "
DUH wrote on Oct 21, 2008 9:39 AM:
" Let her burn it. It's school property. Nail her for theft, destruction of school property, and arson. "
Ms. Z wrote on Oct 21, 2008 12:56 PM:
" You know Cheney, I usually agree with or at the very least look forward to your posts because you seem to think about and offer thought provoking arguments. Right up until you said "female propensity to fret over absolutely nothing". That was a TDN Bad Boy worthy comment but beneath you. As far as the article, I agree that this mother has every right in the world to dictate what her child reads, she has zero right to dictate what I allow my child to read. Taffy Palin perhaps? "
biasmedia wrote on Oct 21, 2008 7:50 PM:
" well pinky im sorry that my poor grammar dont allow me to be in your elitist world but your comment on mine is just wrong you dont take count community she lives that is made of mennonite so she feel forced by their religion too do this but i guess that any thought of religion is not in your elitist world too "
TheGenius wrote on Oct 21, 2008 7:55 PM:
" Well, at least everyone can finally see you for what you really are CHENEY119. I quote, "Does anybody else notice the female propensity to fret over absolutely nothing?" Open mouth, insert foot. Ladies and gentleman, CHENEY119!!! "
Pterodactyl wrote on Nov 2, 2008 3:09 PM:
" I want to someday crate animated versions of many of the fairy tales that I have in my collection. Many of the tales that I wish to animate have heavy racism, sexism, and not so nice people in them. I know that when I do finally animate them that I will elicit censorship issues. Especially with the Tales from Uncle Remus that deal with slavery, and promote it. I personally am highly against Slavery, and wish for no racism, or sexism. But I also believe that the people who are trying to protect our "kids" are stupid. If I wanted to I could have gotten any ammount of high concentration of heavy violence I wanted to through the internet. Have any of you seen Happy Tree Friends? Back on my main topic, because of censoring annoyances, entire chuncks of our culture have been lost. Such as The Tales from Uncle Remus, I had to get a book from Powles copywright 1860 to even get a copy of the tales. Americans just have too many restrictions on what is acceptable for their children. Let the kids make their own descisions on what is moraly acceptable. You can guide them through their desisions but let them make the final decision. Schools can and should have whatever books they want, as long as the material within them is understood as being wrong or socially unacceptable to imitate. Have the kid undrestand that under no circumstances is he/she to copy the behavior here. "
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