"From Ban to Triumph: Paul Castle's Inclusive Book Story"
The Secret Ingredient and Its Ban
Paul Castle's "The Secret Ingredient" is an inclusive children's book centered around penguins learning the essence of a happy family. It was a dream come true for him to have his book in a bookstore during Pride Month. However, the bookstore unexpectedly banned the book and returned the 200 ordered copies. The email received by Castle broke the news, leaving him shocked and heartbroken. He explained that the book follows two male penguins who adopt a baby and deliver cakes to diverse families. Despite the setback, Castle remained committed to his work and continued to sell the book himself.He couldn't understand why the bookstore didn't want to carry it, initially thinking they would order more. But he encouraged his viewers to give his story a chance, as he had put his heart and soul into it.
The very next day, his husband Matthew delivered a pleasant surprise. The book went viral on TikTok, with 11 bookstores expressing interest in carrying it. Castle was visibly emotional, cherishing this moment.
The Book Ban Drama Continues
Five months later, Castle found himself facing a new challenge as his book was "review bombed" on Amazon. The reviews were not about the quality or illustrations but were attacking the book for its inclusivity. Words like "vile" and "indoctrination" were used. Castle emphasized that every child deserves to see themselves represented in stories and that inclusivity is healing.He asked his viewers to leave honest reviews to counter the hate. Together, they showed that love and inclusion are stronger than fear and ignorance.
On the heels of the review bomb, the TikTok community came together once again to support Castle. Matthew filmed Castle's reaction as they learned that the book received over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. This showed the power of community support.