Raj Halder
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host a free evening of story and song with Raj Haldar, the #1 New York Times bestselling children’s author of P Is for Pterodactyl and This Book Is Banned. This special event is presented in collaboration with the Storybook Shoppe children’s bookstore and DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization). Following the author’s storytelling performance, he will be in conversation with the students of DAYLO to discuss the importance of intellectual freedom and pro-literacy advocacy.
This event will be held at the Technical College of the Lowcountry, Bldg 4 (Health Sciences), 104 Reynolds St., Beaufort, on Thursday, February 22, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Books will be available for sale and signing through the Storybook Shoppe. Attendance is free with advance online registration at https://aneveningwithrajhaldar.eventbrite.com.
“A funny, thought-provoking book that opens the door to discussion about book banning with younger children.”―School Library Journal, STARRED review
“Well done and adorably funny… a really great introduction to the subject of banned books for little ones.”―Youth Services Book Review, STARRED review
“A zany, fourth wall–breaking exploration of book banning.”―Kirkus Reviews
“Haldar and Patton employ absurdist hijinks to explore the practice of book banning… By story’s end, readers will likely have had at least one beloved subject ousted―potentially prompting conversation about real-world events.”―Publishers Weekly
“The adult-child combination who reads This Book Is Banned together will have fun discussing the issue of banning in the hypothetical, thanks to the busy and engaging illustrations and text that await them. Young children will want you to read it to them over and over again… Strongly reminiscent of The Monster at the End of This Book.”―NY Journal of Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Raj Haldar is the author of the #1 New York Times Bestselling picture book P is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever. But, for close to a decade, he has been better known as Lushlife, the rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. In that time, he’s amassed a fervent global fanbase and released award-winning viral music videos that highlight his erudite lyrics. The Sunday New York Times describes his work as “an intoxicating mix of captivating rhymes with audacious, gorgeous production.” So it should come as no surprise that Haldar has made the leap into the world of children’s literature. His latest book, entitled This Book is Banned, gives young readers a lighthearted entry point to begin understanding the dangers of book banning and censorship. His work has been featured by The Washington Post, Interview Magazine, VICE, Pitchfork, Village Voice, Mental Floss, BBC, SPIN and more. Raj currently lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his wife and two young daughters.
During his visit to the Lowcountry, Raj will also be appearing as a featured author at the Palmetto State Literacy Association annual conference and visiting local schools. He last appeared with leaders of DAYLO in a Banned Books Week national livestream for the Children’s Book Council, hosted by Pat R. Scales, and subsequently featured in Publishers Weekly.
Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org.
