Where's The Controversy?
My grandmother had this book when I was little and it was my favorite bedtime story. It was exciting, and as a child, the fact that the lead character is a child that outwits the evil tigers was very empowering. My favorite part was that he was able to have all those pancakes with syrup and butter. I had wonderful dreams of stacks of pancakes dripping with butter and syrup. Which was the breakfast at grandma's house, inspired by the previous night's book.
I cannot see why this book could be banned or looked down on. I never felt like it was insulting to African Americans nor did it depict them in an unsavory light. I think it is a wonderful book and have bought it for my boys, who love tigers, adventure and especially, pancakes smothered in butter and syrup.