“It’s a punishment that we’re giving Elise Gravel. It is retaliation [des représailles], as we say in English. He is criticized for his personal political commitment on Facebook, where children do not go. To punish her, we are removing her children’s books, which do not talk about that, from the shelves,” explains children’s literature specialist Yan Hamel. This week, the Montreal Jewish Public Library (BPJ) moved the books of the very popular author Elise Gravel, as reported by CBC on Wednesday. When a children’s book causes controversy… it’s between adults that the debate takes place.
It’s déjà vu: removing children’s books from schools, saying that they are bad – for health, for morality, for youth. The same thought, which led yesterday to the burning of the All naked! Quebecois by a Republican candidate, who last year led Public Health to say that The boy with upside down feetby François Blais, can be dangerous.
“We seek to punish the book, sometimes by destroying it outright,” explains the TELUQ professor, “because adults believe that it would be toxic. »
“Children’s literature is always aimed at adults. They are the ones who choose it, buy it,” recalls the specialist in children’s literature. And they are also the ones who read it, often out loud.
In recent days, the big hits for toddlers A potato on a bike, The worst book in the world And Alert: killer panties, on disinformation, can only be read and borrowed from the BPJ if asked by a clerk, because they are kept behind the counter. Like the copy of My Kampf, of Adolf Hitler, of the establishment.
“This gesture ensures accessibility of these books through our catalog, while also recognizing the sensitivities that the author’s publications on social networks give rise to,” where she takes a position on the Israel-Hamas conflict, indicated the director of the BPJ, Alain Dancyger, at the Anglo weekly of Côte-Saint-Luc, The Suburban.
The BPJ did not respond to the questions and the interview request of the Duty.
Freedom of expression, but not that of others
“The BPJ is committed to promoting critical thinking and fighting against anti-Semitism and discrimination in all its forms,” continued Mr. Dancyger. “As Free Speech Week approaches, we invite those interested in intellectual freedom to explore our banned book exhibits and participate in our upcoming program, Ignite Minds, Not Books [Allumer les esprits, pas les livres] ”, which will address “the nuances and history of book censorship.”
The BPJ’s mission is “to promote Jewish learning” and provides access “to Jewish historical and cultural heritage, literature and knowledge.[f]s”. It is also defined, by its very name, by the way in which it has developed its collection and by its orientation towards all audiences, like a public library.
“We can expect it to meet the same requirements as public libraries,” says Eve Lagacé, general director of the Association of Public Libraries of Quebec (ABPQ). The BPJ is not part of the group, but meets all the criteria.
“The ABPQ sees the withdrawal of Elise Gravel’s books as an act of censorship, which we will always denounce,” continues the director. The choice was made, in the past, to integrate his books into the collection. There would need to be significant, well-argued reasons to reverse this decision, and now withdraw them. »
“We are making here an amalgamation between political and aesthetic questions,” adds Yan Hamel.
A still distinct society?
“What is happening there worries us a little,” says the Association for the Promotion of School Documentary Services through Ariane Régnier. “Quebec had been relatively spared until now from the question of censorship, compared to what has been happening in the United States for several years. »
Of Mathieu’s first minuteby Gilles Tibo, where the protagonist contemplates suicide, Little tabarnak, by Jacques Goldstyn, who relates the history of coronations in Quebec, “children’s literature often disturbs adults, while it makes children think,” adds Mme Regnier.
Disturbing, Elise Gravel’s books also sometimes do so, when she signs What is a refugee?on the reality of migrants, or Pink, blue and you!, on gender identities. Remember that this last title was banned in American public schools until the 3e year.
Typing images
“It is the strength of visual art that we also see in action,” indicates Yan Hamel in his analysis. “Another Quebec writer would make a status, even pithy, on social networks, just with his words, and would never have the same impact as Elise Gravel. Because she is also an illustrator, and the strength of her images plays a role. Like Banksy,” said the professor, with a smile in his voice.
“Elise Gravel uses the same visuals on Facebook as in her children’s books”, her distinctive characters and colors, which can lead to confusion between her children’s content and her adult words.
“But what I find sad,” continues Mr. Hamel, “is that these behaviors, perhaps your article, [les] reactions, risk creating even more dissension between communities, right here, when there is already a lot of it. »
“We risk saying “Ah! The Jewish Library carries out censorship,” even though it is the decision of one or two people, who do not come forward to explain themselves, and who further add to the conflict. It would be really good to hear them. »
“This is not a question of literature, basically. At worst, it will get people talking about Elise Gravel’s work, even if it’s for the wrong reasons. But we understand that her name and images were removed because she used them to take a public position. »
And concludes Yan Hamel: “I never imagined finding myself commenting on an issue that touches on the Israel-Hamas conflict when I began my studies and my research on children’s books… We are thousands of kilometers from the heart of the conflict. »
“This is what I would like us to look at, one day, later: to what extent this conflict interferes everywhere… far away… affects all spheres… even in the fate we reserve, here , to children’s books. »