Ramin ganeshram, a former journalist for the new york times and forbes, penned the book. On january 5, scholastic released a birthday cake for george washington, written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton. Scholastic pulls birthday cake for george washington. 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. 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 company claims otherwise, but certainly public outcry determined its decision. On this page, writer ramin ganeshram cites a biographical fact that is omitted from the books central narrative namely, that washingtons. 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. 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.
Selfcensorship of childrens book depicting smiling. The author of a childrens book pulled last month because of its smiling depiction of slaves says she objected to the illustrations and had. President george washingtons slaves who look for ingredients to bake a birthday cake for their owner, was published by scholastic. Publisher pulls george washington kids book for upbeat. Scholastic pulls a birthday cake for george washington. More than anything, anjali wants to be a chef who competes on a kids cooking reality tv show. 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. But anjali must keep her wish a secret from her family, who thinks anjalis passions are beneath her. Hercules was americas first celebrity chef, the book s editor argued argued, and the slaves were happy because they took pride in their work. Scholastic initially defended the book, saying that it took a nuanced but fair view. The publishers decision comes after the text, by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, was criticized for its depiction of slavery. The author, ramin ganeshram, defended her work in a blog post.
After outrage publisher pulls happy slaves childrens book. A birthday cake for george washington hardcover january 5, 2016 by ramin ganeshram author, vanessa brantleynewton illustrator scholastic press isbn. Under pressure, scholastic recalls racist childrens book. Scholastic ceases distribution of controversial picture book. The writer and journalist ramin ganeshram, who wrote a birthday cake for george washington, subsequently recalled by scholastic. The book tells the story of hercules and delia baking a birthday cake for washington. Publisher pulls george washington kids book for upbeat portrayal of slavery.
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. 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. 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. After a torrent of criticism, scholastic has decided to stop distributing a birthday cake for. 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. Childrens book recalled for superficial portrayal of slavery. This image provided by scholastic shows the cover of the book a birthday cake for george washington by by ramin ganeshram. Ramin ganeshram says she expressed concerns to scholastic. Scholastic pulls book about george washingtons slaves. Scholastic pulls birthday cake for george washington book time. Scholastic pulls childrens book criticized for depiction of happy slaves. 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.
The book, written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, was published on jan. Scholastic pulls george washington book after slavery backlash. All purchases earn scholastic rewards for your nominated school. Childrens book paints slaves as happy bakers for george washington. Whether you need a classic kids book or classroomproven teaching materials, discover it at scholastic. Scholastic pulls controversial george washington book. Ramin ganeshram, wrote in an appended message in the book that hercules was eventually freed but his daughter. New statement about the picture book a birthday cake for. 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. George washingtons birthday cake is an outstanding picture book for a young child.
In january 2016, her childrens book a birthday cake for george washington, about u. Criticised scholastic book on washington slave pulled. Childrens publisher scholastic has ceased distribution of a book that. 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. 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. Scholastic is pulling a new picture book about george washington and his slaves amid objections it sentimentalizes a brutal part of american history. Critics such as the school library journal argued that the book presented an unrealistically sunny portrait of slavery. Scholastic pulls childrens book criticized for depiction. Scholastic said in a statement the book may give a false impression. New statement about the picture book a birthday cake for george washington. Shop at the scholastic store for the best books for children, educational resources for kids, crafts for kids, teachings resources and more. Just remember that whenever scholastic hypocritically pontificate against the banning of books during the next banned book week. 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. Ramin ganeshram says she expressed concerns to scholastic but.
Childrens book a birthday cake for george washington. New statement about the picture book a birthday cake for george. Written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, the book was released on jan. The cover of the book a birthday cake for george washington by ramin ganeshram. 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. Scholastic pulls childrens book criticized for depiction of happy slaves the cover of the book a birthday cake for george washington by by ramin ganeshram. The book, written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, tells the story of washingtons slave cook hercules. Criticized book on washington slave pulled mail online. Scholastic withdraws george washington cake book from. Scholastic pulls childrens book starring george washingtons. A birthday cake for george washington by ramin ganeshram. While we have great respect for the integrity and scholarship of the author, illustrator, and editor, we believe that, without more.