“Pride Puppy!” is a children’s book written by Robin Stevenson that tells the story of a lost puppy at a Pride Parade who is reunited with his family. The book is described as affirming and inclusive, offering a joyful glimpse of a Pride parade and the vibrant community that celebrates this day each year. However, the book has become the center of a U.S. Supreme Court case in Maryland. The Montgomery County Public Schools approved the book, along with several others featuring LGBTQ characters, for use in the language-arts curriculum at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.
Andrew Woolridge, publisher of the books at Orca Book Publishers, expressed concern over the recent trend of targeting LGBTQ-themed books in schools. He stated that books about LGBTQ issues are being challenged and pulled off shelves, or not purchased at all due to fear. MCPS stated that their goal was for students to engage with these storybooks like any other book, and they were made available for individual reading, classroom read-alouds, and educational activities, not specifically related to gender and sexuality. However, three sets of parents asked MCPS to notify them when these storybooks were read and to arrange alternate lessons for their children.
When MCPS refused to allow parents to opt their children out of the language-arts instruction involving the storybooks, due to high levels of absenteeism, the parents sued. The parents argued that their religious rights were being burdened by their children’s exposure to the storybooks. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case to determine if the school district violated parents’ religious rights by removing the option for children to opt-out of instruction involving these books. Oral arguments are scheduled to begin on April 22, with the case being framed as a parental rights versus religious freedoms issue.
The other books involved in the case include stories about a niece meeting her uncle’s husband-to-be, a prince falling in love with a knight, a girl feeling nervous about giving a Valentine to her crush, and a transgender boy sharing his gender identity with his family. Court documents argue that these stories touch on similar themes found in classic children’s books like Snow White and Cinderella. Despite the positive messages of diversity and representation in these books, authors, including Stevenson, have received death threats and negative feedback. Orca Book Publishers stand behind their authors and their chosen subject matters, stating that injustices need to be addressed and stood up against.
Woolridge emphasized the importance of standing up against injustices, even if they do not directly impact oneself. He expressed pride in the books that Orca Publishing produces and stated that they stand behind their authors and their chosen subject matters. While Stevenson and other authors have removed themselves from social media due to threats and harassment, Woolridge reiterated the importance of diversity and representation in children’s books. The case surrounding the use of LGBTQ-themed books in schools is ongoing, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear arguments on the matter.
