A hyperdramatic Florida Man wants a book from the PBS Arthur franchise removed from his local public schools because it includes a scene in which a character mentioned the children’s game “spin the bottle,” the Daily Beast reports.
Signed by Bruce Friedman, the head of an organization named No Left Turn in Education, a so-called “parents’ rights” group that supports an anti-science, pro-censorship agenda in schools, the complaint against “Arthur’s Birthday” reads in capital block letters: “PROTECT CHILDREN! IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS ‘SPIN THE BOTTLE’ WITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN!” become checking a box that the book contains obscene material. “SPIN THE BOTTLE NOT OKAY FOR K-5 KIDS!” he finishes. Asked “what do you believe will be the result of a student using this material, “Friedman” wrote, “DAMAGED SOULS.”
The book is about reaching out and befriended people different than yourself. As Arthur plans a birthday party, he invites the girls in his school to the event, which leads to this exchange between characters, which Friedman found objectionable:
“How about me?” asked Binky Barnes.
“You’re invited,” said Arthur, “and Francine, too.”
“Oh, boy,” said Francine, “we can play spin the bottle.”
That’s it. That was the single reference to Spin the Bottle in the book.