In response to a Change.org petition initiated by a Korean-American father, Scholastic has removed Dav Pilkey’s 2010 graphic novel, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future, citing its perpetuation of “passive racism.” Pilkey, well-known for his Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, expressed regret, acknowledging that the content was harmful to his Asian readers, friends, and family.
The petition, started by a father named Kevin Lee, outlined several instances of problematic imagery and stereotypes present in the book. Lee noted features such as a “Kung Fu master” depicted in a Tang coat, Asian characters illustrated with dash marks for eyes, and clichés involving Kung Fu tropes that reinforce negative stereotypes. He highlighted how such representations contribute to the prejudice faced by Asian Americans daily.
On March 22, 2021, Scholastic halted the distribution of the book with Pilkey’s full support. In their statement, they expressed deep regret for the oversight and confirmed that the book has been removed from their websites, with all orders being canceled. They also committed to informing schools and libraries still holding the title about its withdrawal.
Pilkey released a heartfelt apology via a 45-second YouTube video, where he shared a handwritten letter. He urged readers to forgive him and emphasized the importance of recognizing that even unintentional stereotypes can cause harm. The author pledged to improve and announced that he and his wife would donate all proceeds from Ook and Gluk to charities supporting diversity in children’s literature and combating violence against Asians.
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In summary, Scholastic’s decision to withdraw Ook and Gluk underscores the importance of sensitivity in children’s literature. The call for accountability and the pledge for better representation highlight a growing awareness in the publishing industry.