The author of an inclusive-inspired children's book received tons of support from the internet after his book was banned from a bookstore and review-bombed by conservatives.
Paul Castle is a blind influencer who wrote and illustrated a children's book called The Secret Ingredient. It is about two male penguins who adopt a baby and discover "the secret ingredients" to being a happy family.
His bold and high-contrast illustrations are the product of his 95% limited vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare genetic eye disease that progressively grows worse over time.
On November 28, Castle posted a TikTok video explaining he was disheartened to learn that The Secret Ingredient was bombarded by one-star reviews on Amazon.
The video started with Castle wiping away tears and collecting himself before explaining the situation.
"These reviews are not critiquing the illustrations, story, or the book quality," he stressed. "They are attacking the book for being inclusive."
Castle said examples of the harshly negative reviews he received included descriptors like "vile," "indoctrination," and "over-representation," terms right-wingers spout as part of their hateful mission to ban books with inclusive messages from schools and libraries under the guise of protecting children.
In another video answering questions from followers, Castle defined book banning as "a form of censorship" that occurs when "private individuals, government officials or organizations remove books" from literary institutions because "they object to their content, ideas or themes."
Castle said conservatives have been up in arms over his book that "embraces diversity and kindness."
The full-time illustrator and author continued:
"Every child deserves to see themselves represented in the stories they read."
"Representation isn't harmful. It's healing. It creates empathy. It builds bridges, and the fact that some people see that as a threat shows why we need these stories."
You can watch the clip here.
In a separate clip from June, titled "The moment I found out my children's book was banned," Castle shared an email that was audibly played back courtesy of a translation technology developed for the visually impaired.
The note came from a bookstore that had reached out to him to carry The Secret Ingredient in their store and ordered two boxes totaling about 100 copies from him.
However, the bookstore later informed him they refused to sell The Secret Ingredient and canceled his planned book event.
When Castle received the email from them, he thought they were ordering more books, but that was not the case.
The note read:
"I'm writing with some unfortunate news. It seems the person who placed the order for your books wasn't entirely up to speed on our policies and we have returned the boxes to you."
"While I think your book is very charming, it's just not something we can carry in our store at this time. I hope you understand. If you could process a refund once you receive the boxes, it would be greatly appreciated."
"We've taken care of the shipping cost. Be well, Tanya."
Here's the clip that left him devastated.
Defeated, Castle encouraged people to give his book a chance and order it through his website, Paul Castle Studio.
"I put my heart and soul and time and energy into it. I love it. I'm really proud of it," he said.
His followers answered the call.
A second clip showed his husband Matthew, who co-creates content with Castle on various social media platforms with over two million followers, sharing that The Secret Ingredient has sold out of copies.
"Guess what? You have sold out of your book," said his proud husband, adding, "This is not a prank. Hundreds of people are rallying behind you... 11 bookstores have written to ask if they can carry it."
The internet was happy to see it.
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
On November 29, the internet stepped up again and came through for Castle.
His husband posted another uplifting TikTok clip sharing the good news that The Secret Ingredient received over 2,000 5-star reviews on Amazon.
"Everyone rallied," he told Castle, who was joined by his guide dog Mr. Maple, matching their enthusiasm.
Social media users had their faith restored in the goodness of people.
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
Love will always prevail.
Congratulations, Paul.
Your positive stories of inclusivity and representation will always top our best-seller list. 5-stars.
