The Wizard of Oz {Banned Books Week}

Banned Books Week

Day #2: The Wizard of Oz By L. Frank Baum

What I find interesting about the whole banned books thing, is that so many of the books are absolute classics. Books that we all grew up with, no matter our age, because they are timeless.

Today I am featuring The Wizard of Oz. I will be honest and say that I have never read the books, but they have always had a special place in my heart. My older sister absolutely loved the Wizard of Oz movie when we were younger, and I swear just about every time she babysat us, we watched that movie! My younger sister and I would always look at the Wizard of Oz Barbies in the store, and one year I was the Cowardly Lion for Halloween! My older brother was even in the Wizard of Oz play in junior high. So many good memories. It's hard to fathom the book being banned!



The reason for the banning: You start to see some themes in banned books. One commonality is almost always witchcraft. But I suppose they should also ban it for those ridiculous lollipop kids. ;) BUT there is more, the book is has also been banned for violence, and unwholesome and ungodly ideas. You have to keep in mind that the book was originally publish in 1900. The world was pretty different then. And in 1928 all public libraries in the US banned the book for the terrible idea that it depicted, "women in strong leadership roles." Oh no! Makes me curious to read the book because I always kinda thought Dorothy was a little bit of a whiner in the movie. :)

For this classic I wanted to do something a little out of my comfort zone, a Dorothy baby set! It was so fun to do and I think it turned out darling. I love the colors and think they are perfect for her character.



The pinafore dress looks so cute over a white onesie!



And I really love the little hair hat. Where was this when I was little? I would've loved a hair hat!



Check out my listing for it on Etsy here.

I used  a variety of different patterns:

Slippers- "Little Dot Mary Janes" by Whistle and Ivy

Dress- adapted from "Sunshine and Marmalade" by Melissa Mall

Hat- is a combination of ideas from "Princess Hat with Braids" by Corina Gray at Stitch 11 and Sarah Zimmerman of Repeat Crafter Me basic hat pattern.

Bows- "Super Simple Crochet Bows" by Things to Make and Do blog.

Charlotte's Web {Banned Books Week}

Alright! Let's get to work, day one of  Banned Books Week!

Day #1: Charlotte's Web

There is something that is particularly endearing about talking animals. At least I've always thought so. I remember reading Charlotte's Web in elementary school. As well as making a paper mache pig out of a soda bottle, and going to Charlotte's Web the play, and watching the movie! Lots of great memories. It is a bit crazy to me to think that this heart-warming and charming classic is frowned upon by some.



The reason for the banning: some folks believe that talking animals are blasphemous, sacrilegious, and disrespectful of God. Also, the book has been criticized for the tragic fate of poor Charlotte being "inappropriate for children." Although very sad, I think it is an important lesson as even children have family and pets die. I think it is important theme of the book!

It's been so long since I read the book. Now I feel nostalgic and eager to read it again. I do remember Charlotte and what a great friend she was. I always felt she was so creative in coming up with the scheme she did.

 To honor this book, I have create two little friends to share.

A Charlotte (and her web) bookmark




AND a little amigurumi Wilbur.



For the web I used extremely fine crochet thread. That's a 2.25mm hook!

 

I love how tiny and cute they are. I am also currently working on a Templeton rat to add to the mix as well. Never enough time for all my ideas! 

Items are listed for purchase in my Etsy shop here!

Spider pattern courtesy of  © 2008 Sandyfroglegs Designs. And Wilbur pattern courtesy of Vivian Clotilde of  Primarily Patterns.

Welcome to Banned Books Week!

Welcome to:

Banned Books Week! 

It's a thing. 

"Banned Books Week is an annual awareness campaign that celebrates the freedom to read, draws attention to banned and challenged books, and highlights persecuted individuals." As per Wikipedia.

I think it is a pretty fun excuse for bibliophiles and bookworms to nerd out. For me, it is a fun excuse to reminisce about my favorite (apparently scandalous) books. It is also a fun opportunity to challenge myself and come up with themed crochet goodies.

So... what IS a banned book? Well, combing through lists of banned books I learned that pretty much any book can be a banned if at some point in time, someone didn't want another person to read it. The books include Where's Waldo, to well, books that I shouldn't name on this family-friendly blog. And of course everything in between. But the point of Banned Books week is freedom from censorship and freedom to read.

A few weeks ago I shared this quote on social media. I wasn't sure exactly where I wanted to take this venture so I asked for favorite books in general (not necessarily banned). As it turns out, some of the favorites listed have been blacklisted at some point, who'd a thought?

"It doesn't matter what you do... So long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that's like you after you take your hands away." -Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 (definitely banned!) has been one of my favorite books since I first read it as a kid. I stumbled across this quote and thought about what a different meaning it has to me now. Particularly in the context of crochet and all things artistic and creative. It is one of my favorite things about crochet. With a ball of yarn and a single hook you can change strings into... THINGS! Really awesome and amazing things. And a part of me and who I am are in every single thing I make. That's what I love about creativity, each and every thing is truly unique.

Banned books week here at Kwid Creations will feature a week-long adventure of books and crochet! Every day I will feature a banned book and related crochet item. I'm keeping this broad because this isn't just limited to amigurumi.

So please join me on this journey and bring your favorite book-loving friend!