Really Big Coloring Books: Difference between revisions
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==Controversy== |
==Controversy== |
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===''The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids''=== |
===''The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids and Tea Party II Why America Loves You! The Social-Activist Coloring Book for Kids''=== |
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The company first gained national attention in 2010 following their publishing of ''The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tea Party Coloring Book Publisher Says he's Getting Death Threats|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/30/tea-party-coloring-book-reportedly-prompts-death-threats/|publisher=Fox News|accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref> The coloring book, recommended for children aged two to five, contained passages reading "When taxes are too high, the high tax takes away jobs and freedom" and "In 1773 we had a Tea Party and this led to freedom from high taxes. Today we are having another Tea Party and this will lead to freedom from high taxes again!"<ref>{{cite web|title=Wayne Bell Posts|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8300-503544_162-503544.html?keyword=Wayne+Bell|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref> Critics argued that coloring book was not appropriate for children and instead was more suitable for right-winged adults due to its references to the [[Tea Party Movement|Tea Party]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tea Party Coloring Book|url=http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=218141|publisher=KSDK|accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref> The publisher of the coloring book, Wayne Bell, has asserted that the intentions of the ''The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids'' are not political.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tea Party Coloring Book Prompts Death Threats|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20017933-503544.html|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref> |
The company first gained national attention in 2010 following their publishing of ''The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tea Party Coloring Book Publisher Says he's Getting Death Threats|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/30/tea-party-coloring-book-reportedly-prompts-death-threats/|publisher=Fox News|accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref> The coloring book, recommended for children aged two to five, contained passages reading "When taxes are too high, the high tax takes away jobs and freedom" and "In 1773 we had a Tea Party and this led to freedom from high taxes. Today we are having another Tea Party and this will lead to freedom from high taxes again!"<ref>{{cite web|title=Wayne Bell Posts|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8300-503544_162-503544.html?keyword=Wayne+Bell|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref> Critics argued that coloring book was not appropriate for children and instead was more suitable for right-winged adults due to its references to the [[Tea Party Movement|Tea Party]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tea Party Coloring Book|url=http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=218141|publisher=KSDK|accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref> The publisher of the coloring book, Wayne Bell, has asserted that the intentions of the ''The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids'' are not political.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tea Party Coloring Book Prompts Death Threats|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20017933-503544.html|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref> |
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Published in March, 2012, the second volume of the Tea Party for Kids series entitled, "Tea Party II Why America Loves You! A Social-Activist Coloring Book for Kids" reflects the current political climate and encourages kids to establish their own debate clubs to discuss issues of importance in their schools, community and nation. <ref>{{cite web|title="Tea Party II - Why America Loves You! The Social-Activist Coloring Book for Kids"|url=http://http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9296822.htm|publisher=PR Web|accessdate=6 April 2012}}</ref> |
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===''We Shall Never Forget 9/11: The Kids Book of Freedom''=== |
===''We Shall Never Forget 9/11: The Kids Book of Freedom''=== |
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Revision as of 16:19, 6 April 2012
Really Big Coloring Books, Inc (RBCB) is an American publisher based in St. Louis, Missouri. The company develops, publishes and distributes children’s coloring and activity books, many of which are over two feet tall. Some of their products have been controversial due to their political content.[1]
Company Overview
Really Big Coloring Books was established in 1981 by publisher Wayne Bell.[2] The company publishes coloring and activity books covering a wide range of topics, including animals, American history, and religious themes. The company has received media attention for its politically-themed coloring books, covering subjects such as Barack Obama, the Tea Party Movement,[3] and Occupy Wall Street.[4] The company distributes its coloring books through wholesale and retail outlets as well as the company's websites. The company owns roughly 500 domain names related to coloring books.[2] Really Big Coloring Books also distributes its coloring books through a fundraising division. The company's fundraising efforts have helped raise millions of dollars for charitable organizations around the world.[2]
Controversy
The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids and Tea Party II Why America Loves You! The Social-Activist Coloring Book for Kids
The company first gained national attention in 2010 following their publishing of The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids.[5] The coloring book, recommended for children aged two to five, contained passages reading "When taxes are too high, the high tax takes away jobs and freedom" and "In 1773 we had a Tea Party and this led to freedom from high taxes. Today we are having another Tea Party and this will lead to freedom from high taxes again!"[6] Critics argued that coloring book was not appropriate for children and instead was more suitable for right-winged adults due to its references to the Tea Party.[7] The publisher of the coloring book, Wayne Bell, has asserted that the intentions of the The Tea Party Coloring Book for Kids are not political.[8]
Published in March, 2012, the second volume of the Tea Party for Kids series entitled, "Tea Party II Why America Loves You! A Social-Activist Coloring Book for Kids" reflects the current political climate and encourages kids to establish their own debate clubs to discuss issues of importance in their schools, community and nation. [9]
We Shall Never Forget 9/11: The Kids Book of Freedom
Really Big Coloring Books received notice once again in 2011 when the company published We Shall Never Forget 9/11: The Kid's Book of Freedom. The coloring book was released prior to the ten-year anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks and drew criticism from American Muslim groups for its representation of Muslims.[10] The book contained references to "Radical Islamic Muslim Extremists" ten times. The coloring book also asserted that the September 11th terrorist attacks "will change the way America deals with and views the Islamic and Muslim people around the world".[11] "We started talking to people we thought were appropriate on the subject matter, including firefighters, 9/11 workers, and teachers," the publisher stated. "They told us if we did this book, they did not want a politically correct piece of literature. They told us to lay the facts out as they are. And we simply go with the pure facts." [12] Despite the controversy surrounding the book and its disputed suitability for children, the company claimed it was having trouble meeting demand for their product.[13] In response to the controversy, the company stated that it has donated a portion of the profits from the coloring book to the non-profit organization Bridges for Peace.[14]
References
- ^ "Death threats for Tea Party Coloring Book Publisher". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ a b c "About Us". Coloringbook.com. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "The Book Bench: A 9/11 Coloring Book". The New Yorker. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "St. Louis Company Releases Occupy Wall Steet Coloring Book". CBS St. Louis. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "Tea Party Coloring Book Publisher Says he's Getting Death Threats". Fox News. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "Wayne Bell Posts". CBS News. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "Tea Party Coloring Book". KSDK. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "Tea Party Coloring Book Prompts Death Threats". CBS News. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ ""Tea Party II - Why America Loves You! The Social-Activist Coloring Book for Kids"". PR Web. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ "9/11 Coloring Book Draws Criticism". International Business Times. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "Coloring History, Tragedy". NBC 5 - Dallas/Fort Worth. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "September 11 Coloring Book Sparks Controversy". Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "9/11 Coloring Book Sparks Outrage from Muslim Group". TIME. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "9/11 Children's Colouring Book Angers U.S. Muslims". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 April 2012.