Who is Emma Straub? Katy ISD cancels author's visit for using 'foul language' online 

Why was Emma Straub
Why was Emma Straub's school visit canceled? More details explored after parents complain about the author using "foul language" on social media. (Image via The New York Times)

Katy Independent School District, a school in Texas, has canceled a scheduled visit from New York Times bestselling author Emma Straub, after learning that she used “foul language” on social media. She was invited to read her first children’s picture book, Very Many Hats, to kindergarteners and first graders.

The elementary school took back its invitation a day before the event as many parents complained about how Emma Straub used explicit language on social media.

Emma Straub tweeted curses in May 2022, and the parents are now complaining about the school inviting her for the book reading. (Image via Twitter)
Emma Straub tweeted curses in May 2022, and the parents are now complaining about the school inviting her for the book reading. (Image via Twitter)

The email informing parents and teachers about the canceled visit stated:

Meet a little girl with a big heart RIGHT HERE

"The visit was intended to be an opportunity to visit with a children's book author who wrote Very Many Hats and learn about the writing process. However, it has been brought to our attention that this author has regularly used inappropriate and foul language on her social media platforms, specifically the repeated use of the 'F' word. This type of language, as you know, does not align with our school and community's values."

The author has been a bestseller for many of her books like This Time Tomorrow, All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures, and the short story collection Other People We Married.


Emma Straub’s books have been released in more than 20 languages

Reportedly, Straub is the daughter of horror and suspense writer Peter Straub. The award-winning author has completed her education at The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine, Saint Ann's School, Oberlin College, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Straub is married to Michael Fusco-Straub, a graphic designer, and the couple share two sons. The couple also own a bookstore in Brooklyn, by the name of Books Are Magic.

She is a popular New York Times bestselling author and has written multiple books that have been loved by millions of people. Furthermore, Straub has just released three picture books, the first of the many being Very Many Hats.

The author, whose most books have been released in more than 20 languages, has received multiple awards for them as well.


Before canceling Emma Straub’s visit, Katy ISD also canceled a scheduled visit from Jerry Craft in October 2022

Texas media house Chron informed how Emma Straub's visit is not the first one to get canceled by Katy ISD. Back in October 2022, the school also canceled a scheduled event from award-winning author and cartoonist Jerry Craft.

It also removed Craft’s books from its libraries after parents complained that they professed “critical race theory.”

Parents are now reacting to the canceled Emma Straub visit, as one shared a screenshot of the email received by the school, informing them about the canceled event:

Furthermore, the parent also shared an image of the tweet made by Straub on May 24, 2022, where she mentions the “F Word” multiple times.

A parent shared the screenshot of the tweet made by Emma on May 24, 2022, using the "F word." (Image via Twitter)
A parent shared the screenshot of the tweet made by Emma on May 24, 2022, using the "F word." (Image via Twitter)

However, Emma responded to the parent’s comment and tweeted about how the only “F Words” in her supposed presentation were “funny, feline, feelings."

The Texas school apologized for the misunderstanding and inconvenience caused in its email, further adding that "ensuring appropriate behavior" for their students, both in the classroom and via other campus opportunities, is the school's "highest priority."

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Edited by Abhipsa Choudhury
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