Melville House Books

A report in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram asks, “What do the authors of the children’s book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and a 2008 book called Ethical Marxism: The Categorical Imperative of Liberation have in common?” Answer: They are both named Bill Martin. And neither author is welcome in the school curriculum.

During the Texas State Board of Education‘s hasty review of its social studies standards, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was kicked off its third grade curriculum. Why? According to the News, “Board member Pat Hardy, R-Weatherford, who made the motion, cited books Martin had written for adults that contain ‘very strong critiques of capitalism and the American system.’”

It seems Hardy had confused this Martin — Bill Martin, Jr. — with Bill Martin, the author of Ethical Marxism.

“Hardy said she was trusting the research of another board member, Terri Leo, R-Spring, when she made her motion and comments about Martin’s writing. Leo had sent her an e-mail alerting her to Bill Martin Jr.’s listing on the Borders .com Web site as the author of Ethical Marxism. Leo’s note also said she hadn’t read the book,” according to the Telegram.

(Which books hadn’t she read I wonder, Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? or Ethical Marxism: The Categorical Imperative of Liberation?)

The motion seems to reveal something of the Board of Ed’s process. According to the Telegram, the review “has brought criticism from the right and the left about politicizing the process. As trustees worked their way through a draft this month, political ideas like imperialism, communism and free enterprise were at the heart of some of the changes.”

Just for the record, Bill Martin, Jr.’s only political-minded book taught kids how to say the pledge of allegiance. Bill Martin of Marxism fame is a prof at DePaul University in Chicago.

Valerie Merians is the co-founder and co-publisher of Melville House.