Rush Limbaugh selection in children’s book competition causes a stir
(CNN) - Rush Limbaugh - radio host, conservative firebrand and... children's book author of the year?
The Children’s Book Council and its Every Child a Reader program released on Thursday their author-of-the-year finalists for their annual Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards.
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Limbaugh is one of the four finalists, and his nomination has prompted outrage on social media, given the host’s often-incendiary nature.
Limbaugh's book is titled, "Rush Revere and The Brave Pilgrims: Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans" – a time-traveling tale of colonial America and the latest of two books in the "Rush Revere Series" published last year by Simon & Schuster.
Limbaugh, an outspoken figure in the political world, often expresses controversial sentiments on his radio program. Recently, Limbaugh blasted Pope Francis' economic views as "pure Marxism," and, in 2012, he called Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke a "slut" and "prostitute" for her support of women's access to birth control.
The Children’s Book Council issued a public letter, posted to its website and Facebook page, defending its finalist selection process following the uproar online and insisting that the author of the year finalists "are determined solely based on titles’ performances on the bestseller lists."
"Some of you have voiced concerns over the selection of finalists from bestseller lists, which you feel are potentially-manipulable indications of the success of a title. We can take this into consideration going forward, but cannot change our procedure for selecting finalists after the fact," the organization said in the letter.
The CBC letter goes on to say the kids, who will start voting next week, ultimately decide which author wins in each of the six categories, including best author. The letter goes on to assure that the organization has a procedure in place to protect against fraud and adult's voting in the contest.
"This program has never been about CBC or ECAR endorsing finalists," the letter says.
Limbaugh touted the apparent success of his book series on his radio program on Thursday.
"We just found out last night that on the New York Times Best-Seller List of March the 30th, ‘Rush Revere and the First Patriots’ will open at number one, and ‘Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims’ moves up to number four," said, according to a transcript of the audio.
Limbaugh’s book landed at the number-5 spot on the New York Times best seller’s list for the week of March 23.
CNN's Dana Davidsen contributed to this report.
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It's a good book, the first one is, sure to p– off those on the left.
My son, 4th grade, has been reading this since his grandfather bought it for him. he is completely enthralled with it, and is liking the book. it excites him and entertains at the same time, as well as give him some history. I want to teach my children to question what they are taught in the public school system ( and i'm a public school teacher) because I know first hand that much of what is in the curriculum is twisted and distorted. I have never been a fan of Rush, but my father has, and even though I might not be a fan, this book is good, I started reading it before I let my son have it. it's spot on.
It's a great time to be a conservative. While this nomination annoys CNN and their fellow liberals the vast majority of real Americans salute Rush.
Saw two of his books on a stand at Barnes and Noble yesterday. Almost fell over. This has got to be a joke – right.
Rush is all about making money – he is first and foremost a book seller – but for one of the most un-democratic influences on our culture – his new money making venture focusing on kids books and piggy backing on our countries history is about as cynical as you can get.
its no Caldecott, so, whatever.
had to look up the book to see what it looked like. LOL! I could not buy that for my grandkids! there is an old guy with a giant head on the front.....They would think it so weird!
Wrong headline on the front page, it should be "Childish" not "Children's."
Don't worry everyone, they said its based on money, not Merit.
The libs are beside themselves..........because the conservative has a good book for kids.
Guess what libs.........the real Americans are conservatives. They believe in principles, ideals, and ethics........things libs know NOTHING about.
Actually he has the #1  spots locked right now
I just love how the leftist haters can't even suspend their hate when it comes to a children's book. I know it must really, really grate on them that one of their most hated targets is a best selling author. Far too many on the left are blinded by their hate. Very sad, very pathetic.
My kids loved this book. It really brings history alive for kids. Come on you haters. It's about the kids – not Limbaugh. Don't you want kids engaged in learning?
I wouldn't want my kids reading anything Limbaugh writes.
I would like to take the time to apologize to all the hard working authors out there now, and to those great men of letters such as Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, and Hemingway. Forgive us all for we know not what we do.
Gosh I love to see a bunch of "tollerant" liberals go into cardiac arrest when something llike this happens!
As much as I dislike this man, you can't deny that his books are popular with younger readers. Top seller on Amazon.
What the Council doesn't get is that Rush wrote this for his adult audience's reading level. Yes, there are lots of pictures and no big words, but it is not meant to be a children's book.
Anyone notice that in just the last week or so that the gang has gotten a little bit more aggressive?
What's really awesome is that the same people up in arms about this embraced Tookie Williams.
great. choose a guy who spews hate and deception as a leader in children's anything.... think again folks, please.
Ah yes, the sanctimonious libs are foaming at the mouth yet again. Limbaugh's books are extremely popular, unlike so many of the libby types that espouse a far-left lifestyle. Get over it libbies.
Rush Limbaugh has promoted more hatred than any one else I can think of. It is obvious that the folks awarding these prizes are political players from the Right. I imagine if you look into it you will discover their Tea Party affiliations. There is too much hatred in this drug addict for anything good to come from him.
Great books, people would love them except for the typical intolerant and hateful Liberals.
No child should be exposed to this creep. Hell, he's not fit for adult consumption. let alone any person less than 21 years of age.
I can't even look at a picture of this man without gagging. He has singlehandedly done more harm to this country than any terrorist there is. I believe in freedom of speech, etc. but my personal opinion is he should be in jail for treason. I cannot believe there are people stupid enough to listen to him.