The Stupids have been banned for lots of reasons. The most current reason is for the word “stupid”. Now is the family absurd? Yes. Is this done to illicit laughs? Yes. However, in 2022 society “stupid” would be considered a slur against neurodivergent individuals. Even before 2022 to call someone “stupid” would be an insult that was mean, vile, and hurtful. Do I think The Stupids books should be banned? No. One they are a product of their time (late 70’s) but also, they are making fun of themselves? Yes. In this particular volume, the Family stands in front a mirror store and says, “look at those funny-looking people” and tell their kids to not stare because it’s impolite. They are looking at themselves. You do not find this book in most public libraries anymore because their time has passed. But they represent positive movement in children’s literature with the passing of time. ( )

Just by looking at the title and reading the book explains why this book is included in a banned book list. I did not enjoy reading this book at all. There were no particular diverse group represented in this book, but on page 24, there is a dog who is presented with an Indian headdress. Although the text never mentions American Indians, it can be viewed in an offending way because everyone calls each other stupids. Hence, it can also mean that someone who wears an Indian headdress is stupid. The setting takes place in both in and out of their home. The setting has a sensitive purpose to the happenings in this story because each page depicted how “stupid” their families were. For example, on one of the pages, before leaving their house, when they were taking their bath, they showered with their clothes on.
I chose this book because it will be in my banned book list when I teach in the future. would not choose this book because of the word “stupid”. I think that when children are exposed to the sensitive words and pictures of this book, many students will allow themselves to use the word more inappropriately. For example, this will let students to automatically think that using this word is nothing when it is one of the words that should not be used in schools. If students read this book, I think it will both offend students with exceptionalities and students who are labeled and called “stupid” as that word can be verbally abusive to them. ( )

This is a very quirky, atypical book; it is a good introductory volume to a funny series of stories by Harry Allard. I categorize this picture book loosely in realistic fiction. I have used this book as a good discussion book with multi ages in China. The Stupids take a day trip, to visit family members and to a restaurant. They do many things wrong, like take a waterless bath in their clothes. The book series tends to be light hearted and goofy. The theme of the book is that not everyone does things the same way.
I like this book because the story is silly. James Marshall always has simple, fun, and colorful illustrations. The illustrations of this book are really what also help with the story, portraying the “mistakes” such as a picture of a tree labeled flower underneath. I also enjoyed how the story line is simple and humorous. I liked using this book in China, mostly because of the “silly” and “stupid” things the family does. I usually used it with my one-to-one older students, and used it as a talking point of opposites or inconsistencies. The boys I baby-sit also love this book. While this book, as the others in the series are becoming more of a rarity due to the image it projects, depending on how the teacher brings about the discussion, it can be a useful or fun book in the classroom. ( )

I didn't love this book, but I did not hate it either. It would be fascinating to know why Allard chose "stupid" and whether or not he considered another word instead. It was interesting how this book gave me almost a sick feeling as I'm reading the word "stupid" over and over again. Once I saw that there are clever things hidden in the illustrations (e.g. a picture of a tree that is labeled "flower") I had fun looking for the additional quirks in the pictures. The art style is not my favorite, but it is definitely unique.

The Stupids are a hilarious family mostly because they aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. But the fun is not so much mean-spirited as it is ironic and goofy. The illustrations play a large role in the humor. Excellent for the easily bored. ( )