‘Racist’ Little House author stripped from award

A DIVISION of the American Library Association has voted to remove the name of the author of Little House on the Prairie from an award because of the way she referred to American Indians and black people.

Laura Ingalls Wilder, who lived from 1867 to 1957, was the first recipient of the award that bore her name, in 1954. The award was designed by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) to celebrate books in the US that have had a significant impact.

But on Saturday the ALSC voted at its gathering in New Orleans to rename the prize. It will now be known as the Children’s Literature Legacy Award.

Announcing its decision yesterday, the body said that while Wilder’s work continues to be published, her complex legacy was inconsistent with its core values of inclusiveness and respect. Wilder scholars say her work should not be seen through a modern lens.

♦ Donald Trump has lashed out at a Virginia restaurant that refused to serve his press secretary, saying it had “filthy canopies, doors and windows” and “badly needs a paint job”. The US president attacked The Red Hen restaurant yesterday after its owner asked Sarah Sanders to leave on Saturday because of the administration’s “inhumane” policies.