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SINGAPORE: A Chinese-language children’s book that was criticized for its racist content was moved to the adult section in public libraries after a three-month review.
The National Library Board (NLB) said on Monday (October 19) that it completed its review of Who Wins? by author Wu Xing Hua in consultation with an independent panel.
After considering public comments and panel views, NLB said it has decided to move the book to the family and parents section located in the adult collection.
“Parents and guardians can use this book to discuss how children can deal with bullying and correct any possible misunderstandings children may have,” added NLB.
LEE: NLB withdraws Chinese children’s books from libraries after complaint about ‘racist’ content
The book was reviewed by the Library Advisory Panel, an “independent citizens’ committee made up of members from a representative sample of society,” NLB said. The panel offers recommendations to the board on books about which the public has expressed concern.
“As NLB purchases about 1 million books a year, we rely on customer feedback and panel review,” the board said.
In July, the NLB said that all copies of the book were “temporarily removed” from its shelves after complaints about the book’s depiction of a school bully named Mao Mao. The boy is described as “dark-skinned with a head of oily curls.”
READ: Marshall Cavendish Education Apologizes for Chinese Language Children’s Book, Stops Sale and Distribution
A Facebook post by a reader known as Umm Yusof, who called the book “shockingly racist,” was widely shared. The publication says the book describes Mao Mao in “explicitly racialized terms, and in contrast to all other characters who are depicted as light-skinned.”
The reader also criticized Marshall Cavendish Education for publishing the book.
The publisher apologized and said it will stop the sale and distribution of the book series. The book will also be pulled from stores, it said in July.
CNA has contacted NLB and Marshall Cavendish Education for further feedback.
