A birthday cake for george washington hardcover january 5, 2016. In the case of a birthday cake for george washington, a book is gone that generated important discussions about how our nation creates, perceives, and perpetuates narratives about slavery and slave ownership. Is a birthday cake for george washington a true depiction. Especially george washington s servants who scurry around the kitchen preparing to make this the best celebration ever. This book cover image released by scholastic shows, a birthday cake for george washington by ramin ganeshram with illustrations by vanessa brantleynewtown.
The picture book follows one of the presidents slaves. The childrens book a birthday cake for george washington has been pulled by publisher scholastic for its depiction of happy slaves. Free speech groups defend a birthday cake for george washington. As previously reported, essentially, george washington supposedly treated hercules like family. The book shows hercules and his daughter happy and taking pride in making the president a birthday cake. Childrens book paints slaves as happy bakers for george washington. As organizations dedicated to protecting intellectual freedom, the freedom to write, and the freedom to read, we are dismayed by the decision to recall the childrens book a birthday cake for george washington. Kids book on george washington and his slaves pulled. Scholastic pulls childrens book criticized for depiction. Things go awry when he realizes there is no sugar in the cupboard. Childrens book a birthday cake for george washington pulled. Under pressure, scholastic recalls racist childrens book.
The story shows white and african american families alike enjoying the. A birthday cake for george washington by ramin ganeshram. Scholastic pulls a cake for george washington newsone. A birthday cake for george washington childrens book council. Jan 15, 2016 a birthday cake for george washington, recently published by scholastic, left us at teaching for change, and many others furious and incredulous that this childrens book was published in 2016. A birthday cake for george washington, recently published by scholastic, left us at teaching for change, and many others furious and incredulous that this childrens book was published in 2016. A birthday cake for george washington pulled after. Jan 18, 2016 the publisher scholastic has announced it will stop distribution of a childrens book called a birthday cake for george washington after it was widely criticized for its depiction of happy. The story centers around hercules, a slave and renowned chef preparing a birthday cake. A birthday cake for george washington was released jan. Children whose grownups do not address the material in the notes with them will be left with a sorely incomplete understanding of both the protagonists.
A birthday cake for george washington has been likened to another childrens book, a fine dessert, released last year. O n 17 january, scholastic inc withdrew my picture book a birthday cake for george washington, from publication. A birthday cake for george washington is undoubtedly the most wellknown example of white privilege in childrens publishing. The book is about washington s servants preparing for his birthday. Scholastic said it is stopping the distribution of the book a birthday cake for george washington, because it lacks sufficient historical context regarding slavery. A birthday cake for george washington was written, illustrated and edited by a diverse group of people of color, including editor andrea davis. Vanessa brantleynewton it is president washington s birthday, and hercules, washington s slave and head chef, is planning to bake a special cake, provided he and his daughter can find a substitue for sugar.
A childrens picture book about george washington and his slaves has been pulled by publishers scholastic. Why would the authors attempt to teach kids a fabricated version of the story. The publishing giant said sunday it will stop distributing the book, a birthday cake for george washington, which shows slaves of the first u. Amid controversy, scholastic pulls picture book about. Childrens book pulled depicting happy slaves youtube. After receiving severe and widespread criticism for illustrations depicting happy slaves, it was pulled by its publisher. George washington s cherry birthday cake can also be made with blueberry or apple pie filling.
Hercules, a slave, takes great pride in baking the presidents cake. A blend of spices ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and mace are used along with orange peel and juice, molasses, and brandy to make this flavorful gingerbread cake. A birthday cake for george washington diversity and. In a birthday cake for george washington, young delia tells us the story of how her remarkable father does the impossible and makes a birthday cake for the most famous man in americawithout any. Response on a birthday cake for george washington on our. Jan 05, 2016 since the topic of this childrens book is an enslaved cook named hercules and his daughter delia preparing a birthday cake for the man who owned them president george washington, controversy was inevitable. Jan 19, 2016 a firestorm erupted when scholastic released a childrens book early this month, a birthday cake for george washington, by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, featuring smiling slaves baking a cake for george washington. Food writer ganeshram applies her considerable expertise to this historical tale of culinary ingenuity.
A book that illustrates the relationship of enslaved people to not only george washingtons birthday, but also to the president himself, could create. A birthday cake for george washington tells the story of washington s slave hercules, a. Jan 18, 2016 the announcement comes after scholastic attempted to defend a birthday cake for george washington, the childrens book written by ramin ganeshram. The book, which is a fictionalised account of an afternoon in the life of hercules. The plot of the book focuses on hercules, an enslaved cook in the home of george washington, and his daughter delia as they bake the president a birthday cake. Kids book on george washington and his slaves pulled cbs news. George washington slave book pulled after criticism bbc news. The problem with banishing books as organizations dedicated to protecting intellectual freedom, the freedom to write, and the freedom to read, we are dismayed by the decision to recall the childrens book a birthday cake for george washington. The book tells the story of hercules, a slave whom george washington used as a chef. A birthday cake for george washington by ramin ganeshram and vanessa brantlynewton is the story of hercules, the first white house chef, while he is in the midst of preparing a birthday cake for george washington s birthday. Jan 17, 2016 well, a birthday cake for george washington is a book which hints a certain enslaved worker as actually being happy about his servitudebased position. The publisher, scholastic press, made the decision in response to sustained criticism complaining that the book whitewashed the reality. Childrens book paints slaves as happy for george washington. Scholastic at first glace, the upbeat childrens book a.
Response on a birthday cake for george washington on our minds. Free speech groups defend a birthday cake for george. On sunday, scholastic publisher announced it is pulling the recently published kids picture book a birthday cake for george washington after a. A birthday cake for george washington crazyquiltedi. The book is about washingtons servants preparing for his birthday celebration. A birthday cake for george washington follows the story of hercules, george washingtons reallife slave and a renowned chef, as he. Selfcensorship of childrens book depicting smiling slave. Jan 18, 2016 the publishing giant said sunday it will stop distributing the book, a birthday cake for george washington, which shows slaves of the first u. Jan 18, 2016 the book tells the story of hercules, a slave whom george washington used as a chef. The book is a sorry contrast to emily arnold mccullys the escape of oney judge 2007, which explicitly tells the story of one of martha washington s enslaved servants who took freedom. Jan 18, 2016 the company had previously defended the book, a birthday cake for george washington, by ramin ganeshram, from critics who said it presented young readers with an offensively sanitized.
Jan 18, 2016 a childrens picture book about george washington and his slaves has been pulled by publishers scholastic. Jan 22, 2016 most people thought the controversy over a picture book called a birthday cake for george washington ended on jan. In january i followed the controversy that erupted shortly after the publication of ramin ganeshrams a birthday cake for george washington, prompting scholastic press to recall it. A birthday cake for george washington author freeman ng. The publisher announced sunday that a birthday cake for george washington, released on jan. Read about the social media campaign that led to scholastic stopping distribution of the book. Written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, it is narrated by delia, the daughter of hercules, one of george washingtons slaves who worked for him as a cook. Childrens book a birthday cake for george washington. The author, ms ganesham, has taken great pains to show what life was like inside the washington household for slaves, but especially for an exceptionally talented chef. A childrens picture book about slaves baking a birthday cake for george washington has been pulled from shelves after an angry backlash. A birthday cake for george washington cotsen childrens. Scholastic yanks picture book about george washingtons. The making of washington cake at haegeles bakery in philadelphia pa.
Why the banning of a birthday cake for george washington. A firestorm erupted when scholastic released a childrens book early this month, a birthday cake for george washington, by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, featuring smiling slaves baking a cake for george washington. Scholastic pulls george washington book after slavery backlash. And, oh, how he depends on hercules, his head chef, to make it for him. Scholastic pulls birthday cake for george washington. Selfcensorship of childrens book depicting smiling. Jan 17, 2016 is a birthday cake for george washington an appropriate depiction of slavery. The publisher scholastic has announced it will stop distribution of a childrens book called a birthday cake for george washington after it was widely criticized for its depiction of happy slaves. Jan 25, 2016 in the case of a birthday cake for george washington, a book is gone that generated important discussions about how our nation creates, perceives and perpetuates narratives about slavery and slave. Published on jan 18, 2016 scholastic is pulling a birthday cake for george washington over criticisms that it romanticizes slavery. The text of the book is ed by the author, ramin ganeshram, and the illustrations by the illustrator, vanessa brantleynewton, and i will try to reproduce as much of the flavor of t. Scholastic is no longer distributing the book a birthday cake for george washington because the picture book doesnt include enough historical context regarding slavery. Scholastic pulls childrens book starring george washingtons. A birthday cake for george washington childrens book.
Outrage has accumulated online both on social media and in several wellargued critiques of the book, prompting the author and publisher to respond. Jan 15, 2016 childrens book paints slaves as happy bakers for george washington backlash ensued over the depiction that slaves were thrilled to be held against their will. Its washington s birthday and delias the protagonists father papa is baking a cake, but theres no sugar. It is president washingtons birthday, and hercules, washingtons slave. The book a birthday cake for george washington is a vile exemplification of the distortion of history. This is my pagebypage synopsis of the recently recalled picture book, a birthday cake for george washington. Well, a birthday cake for george washington is a book which hints a certain enslaved worker as actually being happy about his servitudebased position.
George washingtons birthday cake is an outstanding picture book for a young child. A birthday cake for george washington, recently published by scholastic, left us at teaching. A birthday cake for george washington, by ramin ganeshram and vanessa brantlynewton, is the story of hercules, the first white house chef, while he is in the midst of preparing a birthday cake for george washingtons birthday. The book, a birthday cake for george washington, tells the story of the first presidents enslaved chef, hercules, and his daughter delia, who work through the dilemma of finding sugar to. Scholastic pulls childrens book, a birthday cake for. Jan 18, 2016 a birthday cake for george washington was released jan. Jan 14, 2016 a birthday cake for george washington by ramin ganeshram and vanessa brantlynewton is the story of hercules, the presidents head chef, as he attempts to bake washington a cake for his birthday. The book, written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, was criticized for its depiction of slavery.
It opens the opportunity to discuss slavery, a topic we have avoided in the past. Over the past few days, a birthday cake for george washington, the new picture book by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, has generated an important discussion about the depiction of slavery in childrens books. Scholastic pulls controversial book a birthday cake for. Jan 18, 2016 while notes in a birthday cake for george washington from author ramin ganeshram and illustrator vanessa brantleynewton had pointed out the historical context of the 18th century story and. Enslaved africans of george washington depicted as happy. The creators of a birthday cake for george washington were all women of.
Delias papa, hercules, faces a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Most people thought the controversy over a picture book called a birthday cake for george washington ended on jan. Feb 27, 2016 she sees a book such as a birthday cake for george washington as more of a systemic failure than an individual one. Scholastic pulls childrens book, a birthday cake for george. At first, many readers might want to become furious at its concept. A book about slaves making cake for george washington stirs up. Outrage has accumulated online both on social media and in several wellargued critiques of the book, prompting the author and publisher to respond publicly to the controversy. As a chef and person of color, i revere and admire hercules. Birthday cake for george washington cotsen childrens.
Written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, it is narrated by delia, the daughter of hercules, one of george washington s slaves who worked for him as a cook. A birthday cake for george washington is a childrens book published by scholastic and first released on january 5, 2016. Scholastic halts distribution of a birthday cake for george. A birthday cake for george washington by ramin ganeshram and vanessa brantlynewton is the story of hercules, the presidents head chef, as he attempts to bake washington a cake for his birthday. Feb 18, 2016 o n 17 january, scholastic inc withdrew my picture book a birthday cake for george washington, from publication. A birthday cake for george washington 9780545538237 by ganeshram, ramin and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Jan 18, 2016 scholastic said it is stopping the distribution of the book a birthday cake for george washington, because it lacks sufficient historical context regarding slavery. Thomas says that a book such as a birthday cake for george washington highlights broader problems in the publishing industry, where africanamericans are underrepresented, both as authors and. Jan 18, 2016 scholastic is no longer distributing the book a birthday cake for george washington because the picture book doesnt include enough historical context regarding slavery. Scholastic press publishing approved the childrens book, claiming that it has historical support.
Explore our editors picks for the best kids books of the month. The book, written by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, tells the story of hercules, washingtons slave and chef, and. Even without the attendant hullaballoo, a birthday cake for george washington offers a lot to think about, and after scholastic halted distribution theres even more issues to discuss. Scholastic has pulled a birthday cake for george washington, a picture book which depicts images of washington s slave hercules and his daughter delia smiling and making a cake for the president.
Scholastic pulls birthday cake for george washington book. Illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, the picture book is a tribute to the slave hercules, a highly skilled chef belonging to washington, whom ganeshram imagines happily baking a cake for. Enslaved africans of george washington depicted as happy and. A picture book for young children about hercules, a birthday cake for george washington illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton and authored by ramin ganeshram, was published by scholastic trade publishing in january 2016.
Response on a birthday cake for george washington scholastic january 15th, 2016 over the past few days, a birthday cake for george washington, the new picture book by ramin ganeshram and illustrated by vanessa brantleynewton, has generated an important discussion about the depiction of slavery in childrens books. Slavery should not and can not be portrayed as anything other than what it was the abuse of people of color for centuries in order to build the america we know. Jan 18, 2016 scholastic is pulling a birthday cake for george washington over criticisms that it romanticizes slavery. The picture book follows one of the presidents slaves, hercules, and his daughter. The widespread response to the publication of a birthday cake for george washington has led to its recall by scholastic. A birthday cake for george washington book king county. Sep 10, 2019 george washington s birthday cake is an outstanding picture book for a young child. A birthday cake for george washington, by author ramin ganeshram and illustrator vanessa brantleynewton, is narrated by the daughter of george washington s slave, hercules, who is preparing a.