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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Teacher Banning 8 y.o. DS from bringing Bunny vs Monkey books to school for his friends to read

239 replies

alixpally · 04/09/2024 17:30

First day of school, and DS, 8, has been banned by his new teacher from bringing Bunny vs Monkey books to school for his friends to read - am I being unreasonable to be a bit miffed? Last year, he developed a habit of bringing lots of his favourite books in to school to lend to his friends to read during class reading time. This included Jamie Smart books, which were very popular. Today he came home crying because his new teacher has banned him from bringing any more Jamie Smart books, deeming them "rude, violent and inappropriate". I mean, yes, there is a bit of toilet humour, but it's not exactly Marvel comics - these are award winning books and frankly pretty cute and funny actually.
I can understand she may wish to discourage anarchic behaviour (and humour, I guess) but practically every book has violence built into the plot in some way (witness Grimm bros). I feel uneasy about a teacher who would discourage children from reading and sharing books. Should I do anything?

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alixpally · 14/09/2024 08:11

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MrsHamlet · 14/09/2024 08:13

That's brilliant!

I bought a whole load of his books, and other recommendations from
this thread, for the school library. They flew out!!

RedToothBrush · 14/09/2024 08:16

alixpally · 14/09/2024 08:01

Hi guys, here's an update as promised... Jamie reached out, and he drew a picture for DS (attached below, name removed). He also sent a lovely message pointing out that comics are not just toilet humour, but also introduce kids to scientific and philosophical ideas (like interdimensional travel), psychological concepts and more.. His new book The Great Big Glitch is out next month.

Awww that's absolutely lovely!

How wonderful!

Ineffable23 · 14/09/2024 08:18

That's awesome! Your son must be really chuffed!

RedToothBrush · 14/09/2024 08:19

I hope your son treasures that and understands how special it is.

That's a really lovely thing to have done.

(I'm really touched by that!)

alixpally · 14/09/2024 08:23

Yes, he's very thrilled. It's inspired him to improve his BvM drawing skills using the lessons at the back of the book. I hadn't realised, but he'd also done a Looshkin-esque cartoon strip of his own a while back and now he wants to do more. I'm all for it, as I had a fine arts degree once and would love to pass on the skills (but he refuses to take any lessons from mummy...).

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TheKeatingFive · 14/09/2024 08:31

Oh wow, this has made my day. Delighted for your son 😍

alixpally · 14/09/2024 08:38

Haha! Jamie Smart also did an interview with The Bookseller the other day, mentioning this thread (sorry, very tech-inept, hope this link works): Bunny vs Monkey 'banned' by teacher as Jamie Smart insists 'they're not violent or inappropriate'

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noblegiraffe · 14/09/2024 08:38

What a fab, personalised picture! I think he should bring it in for Show and Tell Grin How lovely of Jamie to reach out.

If he's trying to draw Bunny and Monkey, Jamie has done loads of drawing tutorials which are on YouTube e.g.

Incidentally if you post pictures of your kids' artwork on twitter and tag Jamie in, he is very good at replying. He once said something very nice about a birthday cake I made of one of his characters and I'm still excited about it.

cariadlet · 14/09/2024 08:47

What an amazing update. Your son must have been so excited.
I'd be very tempted to email that picture to the class teacher.

alixpally · 14/09/2024 08:47

Wow, thanks @noblegiraffe - good to know this. Very cool about the cake!

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WanOban · 14/09/2024 09:24

Ah lovely Jamie Smart - what a dude.

Level75 · 14/09/2024 18:25

Lovely update OP!

1Suzie · 03/04/2026 19:03

Which particular book was the culprit please may I ask?

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