Banned Picture Books 2026
I wasn’t going to write about picture books for Banned Books week. Instead, I quietly chose some for our Bookshop site—and we have a TON for our pop-up mobile bookstore. But then I thought about how many people hear about banned book week and immediately think of 1984 or other classic novels. Most people don’t realize that there are MANY picture books being banned as well.
Here is our recommended banned or challenged picture book list for 2026:
My Lost Freedom by George Takei: BANNED for ‘controversial’ history, Teaches about the Japanese Internment camps in the United States.
Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb: BANNED for the author being a reporter and Banners disagreeing with her opinion, the actual picture book is about a buffalo.
The Family Book by Todd Parr: BANNED for same sex parents, teaches that all families with same sex parents, different sex parents, single parents, grandparents, foster parents matter.
Itty Bitty Kitty Corn by Shannon Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham: BANNED for a unicorn character that has eyelashes. Even though we all have eyelashes.
I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas: BANNED for featuring a trans character, teaches about different types of people
When Aiden Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita: BANNED for featuring a trans character, teaches about different types of people
Milo Imagines the World by Matt DeLaPena and illustrated by Christian Robinson: BANNED for same sex parents and talk about incarceration, teaches about different types of families and about not making assumptions about other people.
Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi: BANNED for talking about poop and bodily functions, teaches about bodily functions and toilet training.
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love: BANNED for Gender Nonconformity, teaches that we can all be true to ourselves, acceptance of others.
Dim Sum for Everyone by Grace Lin: BANNED for talking about Chinese food/traditions and identified incorrectly as critical race studies, teaches about Chinese traditions
A Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin: BANNED for talking about Chinese food/traditions and identified incorrectly as critical race studies, teaches about Chinese traditions
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, illustrated by Henry Cole: BANNED for same sex parents, teaches that all families with same sex parents, different sex parents, single parents, grandparents, foster parents matter.
