If you love the written word, if you’re an avid supporter of your local library, or if you think Fahrenheit 451 should be required reading for anyone over the age of five, you might already know that this is the start of Banned Books Week which, honestly, it’s hard to believe there’s still a need for. And yet, there is.
If you’re nodding along, you’ll probably be as taken with these literary socks as I am, and the excellent cause they support.
From our friends at Out of Print Clothing, who make everything from e-reader covers to cool kids’ tees featuring original book cover art, they’re now making these awesome library card literary socks which on first glance look like ordinary pale yellow striped socks, but on closer inspection are way more fun. (It reminds me of the awesome library due date iPhone cases we featured on Cool Mom Tech.) Plus each purchase promotes literacy by donating a book to a community in need.
For something a little more political, be sure to catch the banned book collection featuring totes, notebooks, and an accessory pouch, and my fave, the banned books literary socks. On one sock, you’ll find you’ll find titles of banned books scribbled out, while the other reveals the titles, from The Origin of Species to Of Mice and Men, The Color Purple and Lady Chatterly’s Lover--which my mother was once thrown out of her high school boyfriend’s house for reading, back in the 50’s.
Wow, things have changed. Or maybe they haven’t? Considering Harry Potter is now the most banned book in America according to the American Library Association.
So maybe our kids should be reading DH Lawrence instead?
What I really love is that they’re not just cool designs that inspire conversation (which they will) — they do some good. 10% of purchases go to the Uprise Books Project a fantastic organization that’s new to me, which provides banned and challenged books to underprivileged teens in need, in an effort to inspire a love for reading through evil classics like The Great Gatsby; Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret; and Where the Sidewalk Ends .
(No! Not Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who would not take the garbage out! Surely a child should be at least 21 for that one.)
Actually, I can’t think of a better way to corrupt my children’s young impressionable minds with some Judy Blume and Shel Silverstein–then, maybe show them my new banned books socks and make a future bedtime reading list out of it. We’re rebels like that.
Find the collection of literary socks in adult sizes, and the banned books accessories collection online at Out of Print Clothing. Learn more about the non-profit Uprise Books Project on their site where you’ll also find more of the Out of Print clothing tees for adults.
Also visit BannedBooksWeek.org for a ton of information that will blow your mind.
