An assistant principal in Mississippi was fired last week after reading a children’s book to a class of second-grade students. Toby Price was asked to set up a zoom between his school’s second classes and the principal at the school the kids will attend next year, but that principal didn’t show. To improvise, Price said his boss told him to read to the students instead. That’s when he grabbed one of his favorite fun, silly books: I Need a New Butt.
… Price said he had read this book at previous school districts before and never heard any pushback or complaints — but this reading of the book got him fired. In response to Price’s situation, children’s book authors, teachers and librarians have messaged and posted on social media stating the book is “hilarious and sweet,” “joyful and fun” and “lighthearted” and that the superintendent’s decision to fire Price was wrong.