As it turns out, the evidence of passive racism here is extremely thin. With this level of apologizing, you might have expected Ook and Gluk to be really, really racist-at least something comparable to the most offensive Dr. Still, there's cause for some concern here. 'I apologize, and I pledge to do better.'Īuthors and publishers are free to take their work off the market. 'I hope that you, my readers, will forgive me, and learn from my mistake that even unintentional and passive stereotypes and racism is harmful to everyone,' said Pilkey. The originator of that petition was not satisfied with the book merely disappearing from shelves: He also demanded an apology and 'accountability' from Pilkey and a donation to 'an AAPI community organization.' In a statement posted to his YouTube page, Pilkey pledged to meet all of these demands. I realized the book relied upon multiple instances of racist imagery and stereotypical tropes, including a Kung Fu master wearing what's purported to be a traditional-style Tang coat, dashes for eyes for the Asian characters, stereotypical Chinese proverbs, and a storyline that has the Kung Fu master rescued by the non-Asian protagonists using their Kung Fu skills (despite the fact that they were taught said skills from the supposed master).

Both are huge fans of Dav Pilkey, author of wildly popular series Captain Underpants and Dogman, and recently borrowed 'Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen From the Future' by the author from their local library. I am a Korean-American father of two young children, ages 5 and 7. This act of self-cancelation was prompted in part by a petition that claimed Ook and Gluk was filled with racist imagery of Asians: 'We are deeply sorry for this serious mistake.' 'Together, we recognize that this book perpetuates passive racism,' said the publisher in a statement. Scholastic and Pilkey announced last week that the book would no longer be available. Dav Pilkey is the author of the bestselling children's book series Captain Underpants. He also wrote (and illustrated) a spinoff, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future, which was published in 2010.

The adventures of ook and gluk