A Multicultural World of Books

I have been knee-deep writing about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl for one of my final papers. Did you ever wonder why the book was called Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the movie was called Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory instead? (I did). If you ever watch the documentary “Pure Imagination” about the filming of the movie (it usually is a special in the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory dvd), you will see the producers say that it was because they were releasing an actual Wonka candy bar and wanted it to coincide to boost sales.

But after reading Dahl’s biography by Donald Sturrock, it looks like the reason behind the name change was much different. Seems that the NAACP caught wind of the planning stages of turning the book into a movie and protested/boycotted its creation because it negatively depicts Africans. Before the Oompa-Loompa’s were Oompa-Loompa’s, they were African pygmies coming to work for Willy Wonka (basically as slaves). So if you can somehow get your hands on the original copy you will see it so, at one point they’re even rowing a galley boat. The NAACP insisted that the movie not get made. What the producers instead did was make Dahl change them for the movie - somehow that translated to creating Oompa-Loompa’s from Loompaland and the strange orange men with green hair you see in the 1971 movie. The producers also changed the title to slightly disassociate the idea from the book (even though Dahl protested the name change).

Dahl was extremely embarrassed because he never intended it to be represented that way. Another case of didn’t mean to be racist (remember what I wrote about Babar?) Dahl not only allowed the changes in the movie (which he wrote the screenplay for), he subsequently changed this part of the book too. The 1973 edition of the book have white Oompa-Loompa’s.

From first 1964 publication of Charlie and the Chocolate factory 1964, before they were Oompa-Loompa’s. Illustrated by John Schindelman

From the second publication of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 1973, after the movie came out, also illustrated by Joseph Schindelman

Oompa Loompa’s from there on up until current times, by Quentin Blake

Does this mean the book should be banned? Well, no. Is it good that they changed it, absolutely. And best yet, Dahl recognized it and changed it himself. Racism in children’s books perpetuates stereotypes that we cannot afford to keep passing down. If you need a refresher, please read this, where I wrote how kids books need to be mirrors and windows. 

I got the illustrations above from Phil Nel’s blog, where you’ll find some more information about censoring racism in children’s books.

In spite of their popularity, the Peter books of Ezra Jack Keats (like Snowy Day, Googles, etc..) have lived in a bit of a hubbub over the years - any many people appear to be on the fence about the whole controversy.

I myself was very surprised when I first discovered that this author/illustrator who is so notorious for the books depicting the lives of African American children, was not African American himself. And he had to defend himself over the years - but at the same time was praised by many others, and even winning Caldecott awards for these books.

The book Goggles for example, is about two boys who find a pair of Goggles in a junkyard, only to be harassed and then chased by a group of older boys who want to take them away. With the help of their dog, they outwit the boys and head back home to play with their new goggles. The scenes of the book are gritty - just what Keats was antagonized for, glorifying the ghetto.

In this simple little video about Keats’ life, you will see the child narrator speak about the controversy towards the end - Keats justified what he wrote because he says it was what he saw.

But that does it make it okay?

Basically, these books could be examples of what he saw in Brooklyn, but not necessarily what really represents African Americans. And that is where the true controversy stems from. The stories are not glossed over, they have some sort of realness to them. But the matter at hand boils down to that he was writing these stories as an outsider looking in. And even so, perhaps even depicting stereotypes.

The books are testaments of a time when there was more ignorance. As I don’t think the books as are, would be published today (maybe as Keats illustrating, but another author writing the stories).

What do you think?

Giant Steps to Change the World by Tonya Lewis Lee and Spike Lee is painted collage picture book show that the road to being a great person may not be easy because of the roadblocks or people that are in the way, and that you can overcome adversity.

Many examples given but not specifically named. For example “when those whispering in your ear tell you/that your country is in need of new leadership/and new direction, make a plan and make your voice heard/like the man who dreamed of his father/found his own vision, and changed the world forever/by becoming president of the United States” Meaning Barack Obama - the book has great examples of people of all colors that have become great leaders - Muhammad Ali, Mother Theresa, and many more.

Celebrity couple/authors Spike Lee and his wife Tonya are of African American descent, and have written many other books for African American/biracial children. 

I found this short video by the author’s speaking on what they felt about the book

The book packs a powerful message.