Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
TMJ4 News
Local business teams up with community organization to share removed book
By Kaylee Staral,
21 hours ago
After a children’s book was banned in Menomonee Falls, community members are working together to bring the book back to families across the community.
The book, “Love Makes a Family” by Sophie Beer, was a part of the district’s 4K Family Traveling Read Aloud Books program.
TMJ4 News This is the children's book, "Loves Makes A Family", that was removed from the the district’s 4K classrooms last week by the Menomonee Falls Board of Education.
When Amanda Seppanen heard, she knew she wanted to get involved.
“After the meeting, I said I would do anything to help and to make sure any Menomonee Falls family who wants access could have a free copy,” Seppanen explained.
TMJ4 News Amanda Seppanen is the owner of Azora Books, a small, online business out of Glendale providing discounted books to people across the country. She reached out to Grassroots Menomonee Falls Area after the book was banned and has since raised the money/donations to buy 250 copies of the book.
Seppanen is from Glendale and owns Azora Books, a small business providing books for kids and classrooms nationwide.
She is also a single parent of an adopted son.
“My own family is wonderfully unique,” Seppanen said. “Kids should go to school and feel seen.”
The children’s book was challenged by a family in the district who argued the book showed an LGBTQ couple in bed.
Seppanen is now working with Grassroots Menomonee Falls Area to acquire copies of “Loves Makes A Family” to give to others.
“It tells me this community is not okay with the decision that was made,” Hallie Schmeling, the Co-Lead of Grassroots Menomonee Falls Area, shared.
TMJ4 News Hallie Schmeling is the Co-Lead of Grassroots Menomonee Falls Area and a parent to kids in the district. Her group will be distributing those copies of the book to anyone in Menomonee Falls who wants one for free.
Schmeling and around 50 others were at the board meeting and expressed concerns over the banning of the book.
So far, Seppanen has received enough donations to buy 250 books. The donations come from over a dozen locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Arizona, California, and even Bermuda.
Donated copies will go to any family in Menomonee Falls who wants one for free.
“I did some math. There are 240 4k children in the school district of Menomonee Falls, so we’re ready for year one,” Schemling smiled.
Anyone in Menomonee Falls interested in getting a copy of “Loves Makes A Family” can reach out to Grassroots Menomonee Falls through their email; grassrootsmf@gmail.com
Talk to us: Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we're all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips. Name Email Story you're commenting on Message Verification:
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
TMJ4 News 
TMJ4 News 
TMJ4 News 
Most Popular
Comments / 0