Scholastic Removes Book By Captain Underpants Creator Dav Pilkey From Publication, Claims Title “Perpetuates Passive Racism”
Following in the footsteps of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, children’s book publisher Scholastic Reading has announced that they will be removing the second graphic novel from Captain Underpants author Dav Pilkey, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen From the Future, on the grounds that the title “perpetuates passive racism.”
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In a statement issued on March 22nd, Scholastic Reading announced that they had “ halted distribution of the 2010 book The Adventures of Ook and Glu,” as the publisher and Pilkey had come to “recognize that this book perpetuates passive racism.”
“We are deeply sorry for this serious mistake,” the publisher continued. “Scholastic has removed the book from our websites, stopped fulfillment of any orders (domestically or abroad), contacted our retail partners to explain why this book is no longer available, and sought a return of all inventory.”
They further noted that they will also “take steps to inform schools and libraries who may still have this title in circulation of our decision to withdraw it from publication.”
In an apology video released by Pilkey to his own personal YouTube channel, the author revealed that it was the depiction of Ook and Glu’s kung-fu teacher, Master Wong, as an elderly, wise Asian teacher that caused them to pull the title.
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“About ten years ago I created a book about a group of friends who save the world using kung fu and the principles found in Chinese philosophy,” wrote Pilkey in his apology. “‘The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future’ was intended to showcase diversity, equality, and non-violent conflict resolution.”
He added, “But this week it was brought to my attention that this book also contains harmful racial stereotypes and passively racist imagery. I wanted to take this opportunity to publicly apologize for this. It was and is wrong and harmful to my Asian readers, friends, and family, and to all Asian people.”
“My publisher, Scholastic, has stepped forward to share my responsibility, and together we are ceasing all further publication of The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future and actively working to remove existing copies from retail and library shelves,” Pilkey stated.
“I hope that you, my readers, will forgive me, and learn from my mistake that even unintentional and passive stereotypes and racism is harmful to everyone,” he concluded. “I apologize, and I pledge to do better.”
Adding a postscript to his apology, Pilkey also noted that, despite this controversy coming a full eleven years after the book was initially published, he and his wife would “pledge to donate all of my advance and royalties from the sale of The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung Fu Cavemen from the Future to charities that provide free books, art supplies, and theater for children in underserved communities; organizations that promote diversity in children’s books and publishing; and organizations designed to stop Asian hatred.”
The charities Pilkey will be donating to include “We Need Diverse Books, The AAPI, and TheaterWorks USA, among others.”
What do you make of Scholastic and Pilkey’s decision to remove The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung Fu Cavemen from the Future from publication? Let us know your thoughts on social media or in the comments down below!
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