Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
In Ray Bradbury’s classic novel, Fahrenheit 451, the content of all the books that have been burned by the government – which is practically all books – is preserved by individuals in a secret underground, who become the books they’ve each committed to memory. In this way, it is hoped, the forbidden texts – the outlawed ideas – will be kept alive and transmitted to future generations until such time as it becomes possible, once again, to physically possess, read and share them.
Brave Books founder Trent Talbot is doing something similar.
Something broader.
More than joining the ranks of those determined to defend the existing canon of literature from today’s “firemen” – the term refers to the characters in Bradbury’s novel who rush with flamethrowers to wherever illicit books are found, to burn them – he is working with authors, conservative thought leaders and partnering with conservative parent groups such as Moms for Liberty to develop and disseminate more books. New books, written by freedom-minded authors as a counterweight to the canceling of books that, if not successfully challenged, could lead to a real Fahrenheit 451 situation.
The BRAVE series of children’s books presents an ongoing story about the heroic defenders of Freedom Island, who must battle villains determined to bring Freedom Island to its knees. As is true of all good books, the storylines in the BRAVE series are fundamentally true and transcendent, with the characters serving as archetypes of opposing ideas. There is always a moral to the story. Such stories – A Christmas Carol, for instance, often stick with us for a lifetime.
And that is the stated goal of Brave Books.
“We didn’t want to just create good books that children would enjoy and forget but instead (we) wanted to create a learning experience woven into an epic adventure that will forever live in children’s hearts and minds . . . “
It is, ironically, the same goal as that of the Woke Left – but an antidote to it.
Talbot recognized the way children’s minds were being manipulated, not just by the absence of “politically incorrect” books excised from the shelves of libraries and schools but also by the refilling of those shelves with politically correct alternatives which became the sole alternative.
The obvious intent being to indoctrinate rather than to educate.
This exploded into the political arena last fall, as parents all over the country but most notably in states such as Virginia became aware that their kids were reading about things like Critical Race Theory and transgenderism – often without their knowledge, much less their consent. When they became aware of it and objected to it they were kicked out of a school board meeting and told by leftist politicos such as former Clinton fixer Terry McAuliffe to shut up and mind their own business.
The content of their own children’s minds being none of their business, according to such as McAuliffe. Who – interestingly enough – ended up losing his bid to become Virginia’s next governor almost entirely on account of the revelations regarding his attitude toward what shall be taught to other people’s kids – whether their parents like it or not.
There are numerous antidotes to this thinking on Freedom Island.
In one of the books in the series, Elephants are Not Birds, kids read about the non-fungibility of biology. “This book is an unapologetic rebuke of transgender acceptance,” says author Ashley St. Clair – who isn’t apologizing to anyone for explaining to little girls and boys that little boys are not little girls.
In Little Lives Matter, by Elizabeth Johnston, kids learn about the value of life – regardless of size and more so, that it is life – and that the only moral choice is to acknowledge and defend it. Even when – as in the book – that life is not quite perfect. Little Mobi bear is born with just one arm but – with the help of his mother’s love – grows up stronger than many bears born with the usual two.
Other books in the series touch on the nature of “free” things – and where they come from – or rather, don’t. And free speech, its fundamental importance. The right to self-defense, Paws off My Cannon, written by author, radio host and Second Amendment activist Dana Loesch.
The books are available as a set, which includes games, maps, an activity book, stickers, interactive videos and discussion questions. Brave recently donated 1,500 copies of the Brave books to Moms for Liberty, which will be distributing them via its state-level chapters all over the country.
It’s a great way to give kids back the point of view the left is working very hard to take away from them.
Steve Gruber, host of ‘The Steve Gruber Show’ on Real America’s Voice TV.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- The Brave alternative - February 4, 2022
- Legendary forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht returns with a fascinating book on his own true-crime case - December 24, 2020
- Time for a payment pause for America? - April 8, 2020
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
