Unite Against Book Bans draws its strength from a coalition of 250+ partner organizations—representing parents, educators, librarians, booksellers, publishers, authors, faith groups, and others—that share a common goal: defending the freedom to read. Our Partner Resource Spotlight series highlights content from these stakeholders and experts, drawn from Unite’s partner resource library. We hope this collection of guides, reports, data, and more will support your advocacy in the ongoing fight to read freely.
In response to record-breaking attempts to censor reading materials in public schools and libraries, Red Wine & Blue created the Parent Playbook to give parents and caregivers the information they need to protect their children’s access to inclusive stories, histories, and resources.
Overview of the Parent Playbook
While pro-censorship forces would like us to believe otherwise, the rise in book bans represents a coordinated national movement to limit educational content and suppress minority voices. But as the Parent Playbook emphasizes, most parents do not support censorship. Instead, they want their children to have access to a robust education that includes reading materials by diverse authors, covering a wide variety of perspectives.
To defeat the censorship movement, it is urgent that local communities get organized and active. The Playbook is a comprehensive guide developed to empower parents to navigate the complexities of local school boards, legislative agendas, and community activism. It focuses on strategies to combat book bans and push for curricula that reflect the diversity of our society.
An All-In-One Guide to Drive Change
The free, seventeen-page Parent Playbook addresses multiple concerns in a single resource. Here’s what you can expect and how you can use it.
Resources for Education and Understanding: For those new to the issue, perhaps because it hasn’t impacted your community (yet), the Playbook offers insights into the growing trend of book bans, what’s driving it, and what it means for education and personal freedom. By building a better understanding of the national landscape, you’ll be better prepared to act locally.
Strategies for Engagement with Local Decision Makers: The Playbook can help you prepare for discussions with school (and library!) board members by creating well-researched arguments and proposals.
Tips for Community Building and Mobilization: Since change requires collaboration, the Playbook provides tips for connecting with and mobilizing other parents and community members to stand together. Actionable steps offer practical ideas so you can begin this essential process.
Fighting Book Bans Promotes Inclusivity
The Parent Playbook encourages parents to promote inclusivity by advocating for curricula and collections that include diverse voices and perspectives, ensuring all students feel represented and heard —an important aspect of every child’s education. Communicating your views on these issues, clearly and strategically, can draw others in and establish a bulwark against coordinated efforts to suppress minority voices and historical perspectives.
To download the Parent Playbook and begin your advocacy journey, visit Red Wine & Blue. You can also find the Playbook in the Unite Against Book Bans Partner Library.
