SKIRTING THE LAW: ‘Bookmobile’ offering book for kids 2-5 years old featuring nude adults at ‘rainbow parade’

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A source told us over the summer that they believe the Iowa City School District and Iowa City Public Library are attempting to get around Iowa law by using the public library’s “Bookmobile” to make books available at elementary schools that are prohibited by law from being offered in the school library itself.

After a search of the Bookmobile’s catalog, we found a number of books that certainly would be prohibited from being in Iowa elementary schools due to Senate File 496 — which required books in Iowa schools to be age-appropriate and prohibited instruction on sexuality and gender identity in grades K-6.

On Monday, we highlighted the book “Grandad’s Pride.” Read about that here.

On Tuesday, we highlighted the book “If You’re A Drag Queen and You Know It.” Read about that here. 

On Wednesday, we highlighted the book “Hooray for she, he, ze, and they! What are your pronouns today?” Read about that here.

On Thursday, we highlighted the book “Pink, blue and you! Questions for Kids About Gender Stereotypes.” Read about that here. 

Today we want to tell you about a book called “The Rainbow Parade.” This book is in the Bookmobile’s catalog:

This particular book is intended for kids 2-5 years old. It is another Pre-K book. Iowa law prohibits instruction on sexuality and gender identity to students in grades K-6.

On the second page, kids are told everyone is wearing whatever makes them feel most like themselves.

“Even if that means wearing hardly anything at all,” the book says.

And look at what is smack in the middle:

And just a few pages later…

Followed by drag, of course…

You can listen to the entire book here:

A number of reviewers picked up on the same thing I did:

“I don’t have a problem with the purpose of the book, I do have a problem starting on page 4: a naked woman walking down the street choosing to do that because she’s comfortable with it. Other pages of a bare-breasted woman, a man in drag, 2 men in bondage…sorry, not for a child’s eyes. I would not want my 9-year-old granddaughter to read it.”

“Being naked in the presence of children? ‘The Pride’ cometh before the fall. That’s what this grooming propaganda speaks,” another wrote.

And another:

“In this lovely book, celebrating ‘Pride’ means children being in close proximity to nude adults is perfectly normal. In fact it’s great and fun! The young protagonist of the story is nervous to walk in the parade alongside the nude and ‘colorful’ adults but her fear is overruled by her two ‘moms’ who make her go anyway. This book is beyond trash and honestly shouldn’t be allowed near any children.”

“I was beyond appalled when I opened this book. The storyline is bad enough, but when I saw the picture of the nude woman walking down the street, I almost vomited. HOW can this be allowed, especially in a children’s book??? Heartbreaking that our society has come to this.”

Here is the schedule for the Iowa City Library Bookmobile. All stops are open to the public:

ACTION: If you feel compelled, contact the Iowa City Public Library and let them know there’s a reason books like this are prohibited from Iowa schools. 

Iowa City Public Library Director: Eslworth Carman — [email protected]

Iowa City Public Library Community & Access Services Coordinator: Sam Helmick — [email protected]

Iowa City Public Library Board:

Author: The Iowa Standard