Willy Wonka and the Workplace Violations Report

gene-wilder-as-willy-wonka-1335876825_b

Recently we have received a number of complaints by visitors of the Golden Ticket Tour at Mr. Wonka’s confectionery factory. For personal reasons, all of the complainants have wished to remain anonymous. Mr. Wonka has a reputation for secrecy and no one has entered or left his factory in the last ten years, yet he continues to produce his confectionery products sold worldwide.  Mr. Wonka has been suspected for dubious business practices for quite some time and these complaints provide a unique insight in how Mr. Wonka runs his factory, which have been very useful in our investigation. It has come to our attention that he may be accused of possible workplace violations, using an illegal workforce, and misconduct to children, yet this needs to be studied further. Here is a violations that have been reported by the complainants from the Golden Ticket Tour and other anonymous individuals:

 

I. Health and Safety

1. Safety concerns pertaining to Mr. Wonka’s facility:

a. Chocolate river has no safety rail and leads to a grinding machine via pipes.

b. Chocolate river boat has no safety rail either which caused a visitor to fall in the chocolate river while trying to consume its contents.

c. Nut Sorting Room has a gaping hole in the middle which leads straight to a garbage incinerator.

d. Great Glass Elevator smashes through a room.

e. New equipment has resulted significant mishaps such as one growing too much hair required the assistance of a lawn mower, one being turned into giant blueberries, one floating off into space, and a number of them being shrunk to fit on a small screen.

f. TV Room has a teleporter that could shrink anything to an inch so they could fit on a screen.

g. Whenever such similar mishaps befell any of the visitors during the Golden Ticket Tour, witnesses testify that you discussed rather bizarre solutions as if they were standard safety procedures that included:

i. Being compressed through an unknown procedure in the Fudge Room to get unstuck from a pipe after falling into the Chocolate River which resulted in the visitor exiting the facility as extremely thin and/or perhaps covered in chocolate.

ii. After being transformed into a blueberry, one visitor was restored through a juicing process yet was left permanently purple and absurdly flexible.

iii. Two visitors almost faced certain death in a garbage incinerator after falling from a gaping hole in the Nut Sorting Room. Both emerged from facility covered in garbage.

iv. After being shrunk in the TV Room, one visitor was stretched by a taffy puller which resulted in leaving the facility 10 ft tall but almost paper thin.

h. Mr. Wonka is a known recluse and his factory designed as a maze of differing rooms, mazes, spaces, and experiences. Visitors from the Golden Ticket Tour reported that it was hard to know what was coming around the next corner and a lot of them had trouble finding the exit besides the front door afterwards.

2. Health concerns pertaining to Mr. Wonka’s facility:

a. Labor force was not seen in appropriate attire when handling any edible products according to one Golden Ticket Tour visitor who owns a factory of his own. He particularly noted seeing the workforce handle any edible products without wearing hairnets or gloves.

b. Same visitor also expressed doubts on whether the workers washed their hands or whether any of the facilities were regularly kept up to sanitary conditions.

c. Liquid chocolate was stored in a subterranean river system that left the substance at risk of exposure to contamination for a considerable length of time. Same goes for the other candy products in the Chocolate Room, which many of Golden Ticket Tour visitors touched with their bare hands. On the Golden Ticket Tour, Mr. Wonka took his visitors boat ride on the chocolate river in which one fell in while trying to consume its contents. It is not known whether Mr. Wonka ever ordered his workers to dispose of the chocolate.

 

II. Labor

1. Labor concerns pertaining to Mr. Wonka’s facility:

a. One former employee who was at the factory during the Golden Ticket Tour testified that he spontaneously had his entire paying workforce laid off due to an issues in industrial espionage. Judging that the former employee was previously living in squalid conditions, saving up money from public assistance to buy his grandson a candy bar, and is cared for by of one of his children, it is highly unlikely any of Mr. Wonka’s former employees received compensation or worker’s pension. Though he has no bad feelings for Mr. Wonka and has now moved into the factory with his family since the Golden Ticket Tour, he still feels the need to acknowledge this since many of Mr. Wonka’s former employees still express bitterness over the situation.

b. Same former employee also said that after the layoff, Mr. Wonka had his paid workforce replaced by a large number of undocumented immigrants from some obscure Third World country that is not officially recognized status under the United States government and one even the geography teacher in the Golden Ticket Tour has never even heard of. It can be fair to say that none of them have any authorization to work in this country nor could provide any documentation.

c. Mr. Wonka has been reported to openly admit that he pays these undocumented employees in nothing but cacao beans. Yet, he says he does provide comfortable housing facilities for them, though we are not sure about their diets.

d. Though Mr. Wonka says his workers are happy at his factory, it is unknown whether he actually allows them to come and go as they please since there has never been anyone entering or exiting the facility in ten years. Then again, owing to his workers’ undocumented status, it does not appear they have much of a choice. Their strong fears about deportation should also be taken into account.

e. Mr. Wonka said that his current employees originate from a faraway place known as Loompaland, which was filled with carnivorous beasts who preyed on them. He says that these Oompa Loompas see him as some benefactor and that living and working in his factory for cacao beans is not much of a sacrifice to them. Yet, we only have his word for it since all they have been seen doing by the Golden Ticket Tour visitors consisted of producing candy, being test subjects in his experiments, drinking alcoholic beverages while on the job, and suddenly bursting into song and dance routines whenever there was a mishap involving four of the Golden Ticket recipients.

f. It has been witnessed that Mr. Wonka uses his workers to test for side effects in his confectionery, sometimes with severe and possibly fatal results though he does what he can to rescue them when such tests go awry.

g. Some have said that a few of the design ideas at Mr. Wonka’s factory have come from a few of his staff members themselves, though we are sure he usually takes the credit.

 

III. Food Safety

1. Judging by the Golden Ticket Tour visitors’ testimonies, we find the safety of some of Mr. Wonka’s products questionable to put on the market. These consist of:

a. Fizzy Lifting Drinks which are soft drinks that make people fly. Fortunately, they could descend through belching on this one despite that one Golden Ticket recipient and his grandfather were almost killed by a fan while on one of these.

b. Three Course Dinner Chewing Gum that turns its consumers into large blueberries once they get to dessert. Even if juiced, the victims remain purple forever and sometimes gain flexibility in their skeletal system.

c. Confectionery products being stored in unsanitary conditions and open for contamination.

d. Everlasting Gobstoppers which are said to never get smaller no matter how long someone sucks on them.

e. Ice cream that always stays cold and does not melt in the sun.

f. Staff handling confectionery without proper attire and possibly without observing basic hygiene.

g. Rainbow drops that people could suck and spit in six different colors.

h. Hair Toffee, a candy that causes excessive hair growth on both hair and chin (even on women). Major side effect for consumers includes having to use landscaping equipment to maintain their hair from then on.

i. Exploding Candy.

2. Mr. Wonka has yet to release a list of ingredients for many of his concoctions, many of which could contain harmful chemicals or pose dangerous side effects, particularly to children. If Mr. Wonka fails to cooperate with us, perhaps we can purchase some of these products for chemical analysis.

 

IV. Environment

1. We are not just concerned of what is in some of Mr. Wonka’s questionable products, but also whether he is using any chemicals or is properly disposing any excess waste transported out of his factory and the potential impact they may have in the surrounding community, particularly if it is a chewing gum that turns people into blueberries. We do know his factory has an incinerator but that is as much as we know about his facility’s waste disposal.

2. We are not sure what Mr. Wonka runs his machinery on or their environmental impact on the surrounding community. All we know is that he has perhaps the largest confectionery in the world which must consume a lot of energy and perhaps water. It is unknown whether Mr. Wonka has reverted to sustainable practices.

3. We suggest we test the water in the surrounding community to see whether  Mr. Wonka’s practices have any impact on public health.

 

V. Conduct with Minors

1. A while back, Mr. Wonka staged a contest to allow five lucky children into his factory by hiding five golden tickets in his chocolate bars.

2. During the Golden Ticket Tour four of the five children were involved in some dangerous situation whether it pertained to falling into a chocolate river and getting stuck in a pipe, getting turned into a blueberry while chewing an experimental gum, falling through a gaping hole that led to a garbage incinerator, and getting shrunk by a teleporter.

3. Despite what happened to these four children, Mr. Wonka has not issued an apology for the life changing trauma they went through at his factory. Rather he states that these children were spoiled brats who refused to listen to his warnings and have nobody but themselves to blame causing some to believe he steered them in to such trouble to scare them straight.

4. Mr. Wonka has also declined to give compensation to any of these four children and their families on account that he viewed their parents as indulging to their child’s every whim and should probably try being better parents. Has been known to politely discourage others from questioning him, including the parents. The parents have decided to sue for damages.

5. Apparently, Mr. Wonka seems to be either calm or amused to see children suffer under perilous conditions whether it is through a spectromatic boat tunnel that many of the Golden Ticket Tour visitors found rather scary or all the previous fates of four children he sees as “teaching a lesson” that boundaries should be respected.

 

VI. Mr. Wonka’s Character

1. In this investigation, we find Mr. Wonka as an enigmatic figure who has a problem with transparency, has more concern for his candy than human beings, and has no regard for industrial safety procedures whatsoever. He never thinks about what he put his former workers through or any impact he has upon the local community, the environment, or public health.

2. Mr. Wonka is a very rich man has not released his financial records for several years and it is unknown whether he actually pays taxes. He also has yet to disclose the names of those who supply him with raw materials or whether he pays them. Given his reputation as a one of the richest recluses in the world, Mr. Wonka fails to realize that transparency is the rule when running an industrial establishment.

3. Mr. Wonka fails to understand that to run an industrial workplace, particularly a confectionery, maintaining a clean and safe workplace are top priorities. While it is perfectly fine for Mr. Wonka to design his workplace as a creative playground, health and safety in the workplace should always come first whether that means having guard rails, having workers wash their hands and cover their hair, and making the facility easily navigable for workers and visitors. Mr. Wonka has ignored these.

4. Mr. Wonka also does not seem to understand that all food items should be stored in sanitary conditions and free from contamination. This means that all of his confectionery ingredients should be stored in sealed containers and not exposed to the open air. Who knows what the contents in the Chocolate Room have been exposed to.

5. Mr. Wonka does not see anything wrong with child endangerment whether it pertains to his products and factory equipment. In fact, he sees nothing wrong with releasing certain products that contain potentially harmful chemicals.

6. One visitor remarked that he mentioned the word “snozzberry” during a stop pertaining to flavored wall paper. The only definition our investigation managed to find for this word was a British slang term for penis.

7. Mr. Wonka does not see any reason to have his factory or policies structured to meet confectionery regulations.

 

VII. Response

1. That in evaluating these complaints from the Golden Ticket visitors and others, we continue our thorough investigation into Mr. Wonka’s activities by inspecting the facilities in question to determine whether there is any truth behind their complaints. If their testimonies prove accurate than it is with all due respect that we give time for Mr. Wonka to meet regulations or else face criminal charges for health and safety violations, food safety violations, workplace misconduct, hiring an undocumented workforce, environmental damage, lack of transparency, and child endangerment.

2. But first it would best to notify Mr. Wonka of the charges he may be up against and our intended actions during the investigation as well as inform him on what he should do to avoid arrest. Yet, even if he does conform to workplace regulations, this does not mean he is immune to lawsuits and criminal prosecution. Also, note that he designated the lone unharmed Golden Ticket recipient as his heir who is ten years old. Thus, Mr. Wonka might have been expecting this.

Never Judge a Book by Its Cover- Well, Most of the Time

Since last week, I have sent my manuscript for Cascade to a few independent publishers and have yet to hear from them. As of right now, I’ve sent it to six in which four have reported on receiving my submission. Yet, in the meantime, perhaps I can brush upon the importance of presentation. Of course, we’ve been told not to judge a book by its cover, but sadly many would-be buyers do since the title and cover design do have significant marketing value. I can go on with all the great presentation with the book titles and covers that sell, but it would be boring so I’m posting the titles and covers which would turn off potential buyers or at least make the book seem like a joke. Also, these are unintentionally hilarious. Still, at least I have the title covered. So without further adieu, here’s a collection of book design fails that you don’t want to miss. (I’m using covers from mainstream publishing not vanity or self-published stuff on Amazon because it wouldn’t be funny.) Some of this content may not be safe for work.

1. Still Stripping After 25 Years by Eleanor Burns

Seems like a sprightly old lady doesn't she? Also, I'm sure women who've been stripping for 25 years look more or less like one of those women on Real Housewives but significantly poorer.

Seems like a sprightly old lady doesn’t she? Also, I’m sure women who’ve been stripping for 25 years look more or less like one of those women on Real Housewives but significantly poorer.

Please don’t be somebody’s grandma.

2. The Big Book of Lesbian Horse Stories by Alisa Surkis and Monica Nolan

I mean c'mon, please. I'm there are equine enthusiasts who happen to be lesbians but I'm not sure if they'd be into such a story.

I mean c’mon, please. I’m there are equine enthusiasts who happen to be lesbians but I’m not sure if they’d be into such a story.

For those who couldn’t get enough of Lynne Cheney’s western erotic lesbian novel Sisters.

3. Men with Balls: The Professional Athlete’s Handbook by Drew Magary

You know the title and the image sort of have a double meaning because all men have two balls in a sack but they don't consist of a a soccer or basketball.

You know the title and the image sort of have a double meaning because all men have two balls in a sack but they don’t consist of a a soccer or basketball.

You know there are women professional athletes but I don’t think Women with Balls went so well.

4. Cooking with Poo by Saiwuud Diwong

Also, what's with the shitty title? Still, looks like a normal ethnic cookbook. Wonder what her PBS cooking show would be like.

Also, what’s with the shitty title? Still, looks like a normal ethnic cookbook. Wonder what her PBS cooking show would be like.

Either it consists of burning it or using it as an ingredient. I don’t want to know.

5. The Best Dad Is a Good Lover by Dr. Charlie Shedd

Seems like a relationship advice book for single mothers. Let's sure as hell hope it is because I have a squicky feeling about the title.

Seems like a relationship advice book for single mothers. Let’s sure as hell hope it is because I have a squicky feeling about the title.

As long as your dad and lover aren’t the same person in your life.

6. The Loneliest Ho in the World written by Travis Heaton and illustrated by Gary Andrews

In the adult book world The Loneliest Ho in the World would be about something not so innocent. Moreover, it wouldn't have anything to do with Christmas.

In the adult book world The Loneliest Ho in the World would be about something not so innocent. Moreover, it wouldn’t have anything to do with Christmas.

This was probably created on a bet to see if who can come up with the most unintentionally inappropriate title for a children’s book.

7. Knitting with Dog Hair by Kendall Crolius and Anne Montgomery

Besides, I don't think knitting with your dog's hair is possible unless it's one of those long haired sheep dogs.

Besides, I don’t think knitting with your dog’s hair is possible unless it’s one of those long haired sheep dogs.

I don’t think Fido is impressed with his new hat.

8. Goodbye Testicles by Anne Welsh Guy

Guaranteed to incite horrors among young boys worried about getting their balls cut off. Also, one of the few children's books having the word "testicles" on the cover.

Guaranteed to incite horrors among young boys worried about getting their balls cut off. Also, one of the few children’s books having the word “testicles” on the cover.

Just what I need for my younger cousins. A book about why we need to spay and neuter our pets.

9. Autism’s Politics and Political Factions: A Commentary by Thomas D. Taylor

In some ways, this is kind of offensive to people who actually have autism as well as a disappointment to gun enthusiasts.

In some ways, this is kind of offensive to people who actually have autism as well as a disappointment to gun enthusiasts.

Yet, you wouldn’t know it from the picture of the multi-barreled antique pistol shown.

10. Papa’s Problem: A Novel by Patrick Kendrick

And this got a Florida book award. Why, Florida? Why?

And this got a Florida book award. Why, Florida? Why?

Let me guess, he owns a homicidal neo-Nazi rooster.

11. Isabella’s Last Gift by Laura Lawrence

Seriously what's with the penguins among igloos and evergreens? They live in Antarctica, goddammit!

Seriously what’s with the penguins among igloos and evergreens? They live in Antarctica, goddammit!

Either this is a romance novel or a children’s book involving penguins.

12. Sleeping with a Wall Street Banker by Marlene Morgan

Makes Wall Street Bankers seem a little on the homicidal side these days.

Makes Wall Street Bankers seem a little on the homicidal side these days.

Looks like a fanfic spinoff of American Psycho to me.

13. Power of Positivity by Fred L. Von Guten O. D.

Looks more appropriate for a Gothic horror story than anything or a sci-fi fantasy book.

Looks more appropriate for a Gothic horror story than anything or a sci-fi fantasy book.

Yeah, that cover sure looks pretty positive doesn’t it?

14. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Takes all the dramatic tension out of it. And believe me, I read this book in high school.

Takes all the dramatic tension out of it. And believe me, I read this book in high school.

I know this book is depicting the scene when Raskolnikov murders the heartless pawnbroker but I think it’s best left to the imagination.

15. Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Those who are living under a rock will be very disappointed when they find out this isn't a science fiction story akin to Star Wars.

Those who are living under a rock will be very disappointed when they find out this isn’t a science fiction story akin to Star Wars.

Wow, didn’t know that Oz had fighter jets.

16. Computer Programs for the Kitchen by Terrence F. Dicker

Oh, and you sure wouldn’t be able to find recipes on that model which looks older than I am.

As if computer programs are really necessary for cooking.

17. Computer Sex Input by Deena Cross

Now we know how Robocop was conceived. Good God.

Now we know how Robocop was conceived. Good God.

A computer-woman romance novel. Now I’ve seen everything.

18. Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Hmm....Tarzan and monkey in cave alone with a bow and arrow stash. Wonder whether the monkey will either be eaten or worse.

Hmm….Tarzan and monkey in cave alone with a bow and arrow stash. Wonder whether the monkey will either be eaten or worse.

Tarzan looks a little too friendly with that monkey.

19. It’s Easy to Play Classical Themes arranged by Cyril Watters

I don't like the look of this set up. Seems like Beethoven has something dirty on his mind with that kid on his lap.

I don’t like the look of this set up. Seems like Beethoven has something dirty on his mind with that kid on his lap.

I don’t think you should trust Beethoven with your kids. You really shouldn’t.

20. The BIG Coloring Book of Vaginas written and illustrated by Morgan Hastings

Of course, I've heard about The Vagina Monologues but this is ridiculous. No way in hell do I want to give this to any kid.

Of course, I’ve heard about The Vagina Monologues but this is ridiculous. No way in hell do I want to give this to any kid.

Worst coloring book idea ever.

21. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

And boy would many guys be disappointed once reading it, or not.

And boy would many guys be disappointed once reading it, or not.

I’m not sure if this book depicts a naked girl or not. Is probably appearing there to get a certain demographic who’d read anything with a naked woman on the cover.

22. Ooozing for My Lord by Betty Carolyn Hearon-Love

Looks like it if you're jerking off for Jesus. Sorry but if there's any seemingly inappropriate connotations in the title for anything to do with Christianity, I'm putting it on there, baby.

Looks like it if you’re jerking off for Jesus. Sorry but if there’s any seemingly inappropriate connotations in the title for anything to do with Christianity, I’m putting it on there, baby.

So does this mean that masturbation is okay now?

23. How Green Were the Nazis? Nature, Environment, and Nation in the Third Reich edited by Franz-Joseph Bruggemeir, Mark Cioc, and Thomas Zeller

Not that I'd want to anyway because they were among the most brutal people who ever existed. So I'd really don't care how they'd treat Bambi.

Not that I’d want to anyway because they were among the most brutal people who ever existed. So I’d really don’t care how they’d treat Bambi.

Well, other than starting a world war, a series of death camps for certain demographics, and a construction plan designed by a guy with massive delusions of grandeur, I really wouldn’t know how green the Nazis were.

24. Fancy Coffins to Make Yourself by Dale Power

Also, it's quite easy to make a coffin. Just make a man-sized wooden box and put a dead body in it.

Also, it’s quite easy to make a coffin. Just make a man-sized wooden box and put a dead body in it.

Those look pretty expensive to make. Besides, I don’t think these were made by amateurs.

25. Unlocking Your Bowels for Better Health by Salem Kirban

The cover says "Twentieth century living has taken a toll on man's elimination organs. This book reveals how to restore normal healthy function again!" Wow and I thought it was about pooping and BDSM!

The cover says “Twentieth century living has taken a toll on man’s elimination organs. This book reveals how to restore normal healthy function again!” Wow and I thought it was about pooping and BDSM!

Somehow the lock and chain is a metaphor for constipation.

26. Do It Rhino Style: Magrogan’s Method to Rapid Goal Achievement by Dave Magrogan with Molly Nece

Besides, I don't like the look of this guy. Seems like a member of an organized crime syndicate to me.

Besides, I don’t like the look of this guy. Seems like a member of an organized crime syndicate to me.

Not sure if this is a self-help book or a sex manual.

27. Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Kerrie Hughes

Only the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch can stop these critters now. Seriously, I can't talk about this cover without bringing up Monty Python jokes up. Of course, raccoons do spread rabies though.

Only the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch can stop these critters now. Seriously, I can’t talk about this cover without bringing up Monty Python jokes up. Of course, raccoons do spread rabies though.

Oh, I think Monty Python killed the effect of this title as far as the killer bunnies go. “What’s it gonna do? Nibble my bum?”

28. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

Of course, he could be a time traveler and use this as a cover nowadays.

Of course, he could be a time traveler and use this as a cover nowadays.

I’m sure the Scarlet Pimpernel was a 18th century caper saving French aristocrats from the French Revolutionary rabble, not a contemporary businessman with a cat.

29. The Practical Pyromaniac by William Gurstelle

Wonder how many arsons this book inspired. Perhaps this is a go-to guide for arsonists.

Great, now a book about setting things on fire.

30. How to Shit in the Woods by Kathleen Meyer

Of course, the cover seems to say it all. All you need is a roll of toilet paper and a shovel as well as some place where the sun doesn't shine on your ass.

Of course, the cover seems to say it all. All you need is a roll of toilet paper and a shovel as well as some place where the sun doesn’t shine on your ass.

A great book to take on any long term hiking trip with no bathrooms along the way.

31. The Beginner’s Guide to Sex in the Afterlife

Of course, this make perfect sense if you believe in that sort of thing.

Of course, this make perfect sense if you believe in that sort of thing.

As if you’ll be having sex after you’re dead. Seriously who writes this shit?

32. Games You Can Play with Your Pussy: And Lots of Other Stuff Cat Owners Should Know

Of course, I don't see how you could play chess with your cat. Also, the title is so inappropriate.

Of course, I don’t see how you could play chess with your cat. Also, the title is so inappropriate.

This is for cat owners, not female masturbators.

33. Scouts in Bondage by Geoffrey Prout

And this is an old children's book to add to the irony. Really, the cover seems kind of gay and disturbing.

And this is an old children’s book to add to the irony. Really, the cover seems kind of gay and disturbing.

Now I wonder why the Boy Scouts seem so homophobic. Course, there seems to be plenty of BDSM sexual action as far as the cover shows.

34. Anybody Can Be Cool…But Awesome Takes Practice by Lorraine Peterson

Seriously, this looks like some sort of 1990s stock photograph or something. Written by the woman of If God Loves Me, Why Can't I Get My Locker Open?

Seriously, this looks like some sort of 1990s stock photograph or something. Written by the woman of If God Loves Me, Why Can’t I Get My Locker Open?

I’m sure the teenagers posing for the obligatory diversity shot certainly didn’t want to be seen with the blond douche.

35. The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning by Simcha Fisher

One of the most sexually explicit Christian book covers I’ve ever seen. I mean the two naked people are literally having sex in church which is okay if you’re straight married and not using artificial birth control as far as this book is concerned.

I’m sure the priest in the confessional is not too happy since he probably won’t be getting any.

36. Under the Mantle: Marian Thoughts from a 21st Century Priest by Donald H. Calloway MIC

Also, the sunglasses and surfboard really don't help things either. Seriously, who gets away with this shit?

Also, the sunglasses and surfboard really don’t help things either. Seriously, who gets away with this shit?

I think this priest needs a better title for his book, preferably one without the sexual connotations. I mean he’s supposed to be celibate here.

37. Little Bobby’s Drunk Again by Herbert Biddleman

Sure hope Bobby doesn't get liver cirrhosis at a young age. Or worse. Also, who the hell is giving him drinks?

Sure hope Bobby doesn’t get liver cirrhosis at a young age. Or worse. Also, who the hell is giving him drinks?

Is this a children’s book about juvenile alcoholism or what? Seriously who writes this shit?

38. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

The cover depicts something you'd see from an erotic sci-fi novel, not what inspired a family friendly fantasy film.

The cover depicts something you’d see from an erotic sci-fi novel, not what inspired a family friendly fantasy film.

I’m sure Buttercup was never a Sucubus. Seriously.

39. How to Make Money in Your Spare Time by 673126 (Note: author’s pen name)

I mean just look at the author's name. It's his prison number for Christ's sake.

I mean just look at the author’s name. It’s his prison number for Christ’s sake.

Okay, there are plenty of good ways to make money in your spare time. Being a hitman isn’t one of them.

40. Cooking to Kill: the Poison Cook Book concocted by Prof. Ebenezer Murgatroyd with comic drawings by Herb Roth

This would've came in handy for those two sweet little old ladies in Brooklyn, you know, the ones who poisoned old gentlemen callers through the elderberry wine.

This would’ve came in handy for those two sweet little old ladies in Brooklyn, you know, the ones who poisoned old gentlemen callers through the elderberry wine.

Just add salt, pepper, and good old fashioned arsenic.

41. How to Avoid Huge Ships by Captain John W. Trimmer

Of course, in some situations at sea, you might want to welcome  the presence of a huge ships. At least they're one of the nice things to see in the remotest corner of civilization.

Of course, in some situations at sea, you might want to welcome the presence of a huge ships. At least they’re one of the nice things to see in the remotest corner of civilization.

Great, something everyone needs if they’re a fugitive at sea.

42. They Did It with Horses a scrapbook of photos from the Philip Weber Collection

Anyone anticipating pictures of people having sex with horses will be sincerely disappointed looking in this one.

Anyone anticipating pictures of people having sex with horses will be sincerely disappointed looking in this one.

Sure the cover of a horse drawn carriage is nice but the title is mildly suggestive of bestiality.

43. Down Home Gynecology by Dr. Martin and Mary Sue Jaffee

And what's with the naked woman silhouette on the cover? Jesus Christ!

And what’s with the naked woman silhouette on the cover? Jesus Christ!

Sorry, but I don’t want to know how I can do my own pap smear.

44. How to Succeed in Business without a Penis: Secrets and Strategies for the Working Woman by Karen Salmonsohn

Of course, this is a book for the working woman, not the working eunuch who may not have a penis either.

Of course, this is a book for the working woman, not the working eunuch who may not have a penis either.

Sheryl Sandberg may not be the most reliable self-help guru to women in the workplace but at least she chose a better title than this woman.

45. Teach Your Wife to Be a Widow by Donald I. Rogers

Of course, if you teach your wife to be a widow, she may become a black widow if you succeed.

Of course, if you teach your wife to be a widow, she may become a black widow if you succeed.

Such a sexist piece of advice from the 1950s.

46. How to Get a Teenage Boy & What to Do with Him When You Get Him by Ellen Peck

The go-to guide for all Mrs. Robinsons everywhere. For instance, make sure he's 18 or else you may risk being arrested on statutory rape.

The go-to guide for all Mrs. Robinsons everywhere. For instance, make sure he’s 18 or else you may risk being arrested on statutory rape.

Surely the girl on this cover surely doesn’t look like a teenager.

47. The Torture Device Coloring Book by Erik C. Ruhling

Hey, at least it doesn't have any sex organs you can color. Still, this is disturbing. Torture devices, seriously?

Hey, at least it doesn’t have any sex organs you can color. Still, this is disturbing. Torture devices, seriously?

A coloring book only Dick Cheney would love.

48. Are Your Children Playing with Lucifer’s Testicles? The Truth about Easter Eggs by Dr. Daniel Cameroon

Fundamentalist Christians: Taking the fun out of everything since, well, ever. At least the Puritans drank and smoked for God's sake. Next thing they'll say is that Christmas is too pagan or something like that.

Fundamentalist Christians: Taking the fun out of everything since, well, ever. At least the Puritans drank and smoked for God’s sake. Next thing they’ll say is that Christmas is too pagan or something like that.

Now out of all the Christian titles I’ve seen this one is totally fucked up. I mean the guy’s talking about the sinfulness of Easter eggs for God’s sake!

49. Matilda Who Told Lies and Was Burned to Death written by Hillaire Belloc and illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Seriously guaranteed to make children shit in their pants and never tell a lie again. Yeah, right.

Seriously guaranteed to make children shit in their pants and never tell a lie again. Yeah, right.

Hmm…makes A Series of Unfortunate Events more upbeat for some reason.

50.  Virgin Heat by Laurence Shames

I mean what else could a cute little kitty in a ring of fire could mean metaphorically? Or something about a virgin getting horny for someone.

I mean what else could a cute little kitty in a ring of fire could mean metaphorically? Or something about a virgin getting horny for someone.

Makes me wonder that what inspired June Carter Cash to write “Ring of Fire” was a yeast infection.

51. The Doom Pussy by Elaine Shepard

What do you mean it’s about Vietnam? I sure as hell wouldn’t know.

This has to be porn. Really, this has a very dirty title.

52. Unanswered Prayers by Penny Richards

Seriously, there's nothing romantic having a couple pose framed at a crotch shot. It's disgusting. Really disgusting.

Seriously, there’s nothing romantic having a couple pose framed at a crotch shot. It’s disgusting. Really disgusting.

Sure there’s nothing more romantic than having a picture of someone’s crotch on the cover.

53. Coyote’s Big Penis and Other Stories by Guy Mount

Seems like this whole cover appears unintentionally dirty for some reason. I don't know why.

Seems like this whole cover appears unintentionally dirty for some reason. I don’t know why.

Isn’t the cover kind of suggestive here? You don’t need phallic imagery to tell us the coyote has a giant dong.

54. Got Cancer? Spring Break Gone Bad by James J. Gaudio

Hey, if this book doesn't have anything about making meth, then I don't want to read it. I've already seen Breaking Bad you know.

Hey, if this book doesn’t have anything about making meth, then I don’t want to read it. I’ve already seen Breaking Bad you know.

Read this guy was a chemistry teacher before he got cancer. I’m not naming names but who does he kind of remind you of?

55. Microwave for One by Sonia Allison

Still, at least the food would be better for you than ramen noodles and on a budget. This is pretty lame, though.

Still, at least the food would be better for you than ramen noodles and on a budget. This is pretty lame, though.

Because there’s more to microwave cooking than ramen noodles.

56. Invisible Dick by Frank Topham

Just so you know, dick is a boy, not a penis.

Just so you know, dick is a boy, not a penis.

Now this is a children’s book that will incite a lot of shits and giggles.

57. The Long Journey of Mr. Poop by Angele Delanouis and Marie Lafrance

Seriously, why is a turd carrying a handbag and wearing a beret? Also, why does it have legs?

Seriously, why is a turd carrying a handbag and wearing a beret? Also, why does it have legs?

Great, now a children’s book about poop. Really shows how bad children’s book authors would go for creative ideas.

58. Forth on the Atari: Learning by Using Forth by E. Floegel

I’m sure a lot a people will be disappointed that the game won’t have as much eroticism than the cover. I mean, judging the contents of Atari games.

Who knew that 1980s video games can be so kinky? Neither did I.

59. Dump Him Marry the Cat

Of course, there's another book called Dump Her Marry the Dog but I haven't seen it.

Of course, there’s another book called Dump Her Marry the Dog but I haven’t seen it.

I’m sure Mr. Whiskers would be happy to settle for a human woman and not anyone of his own species.

60. The Little People by John Christopher

I'm sure anyone who's Jewish shouldn't dare go after one in hopes of getting its pot of gold. Instead, find a Nazi leprechaun and a Jew may find him or herself in a concentration camp.

I’m sure anyone who’s Jewish shouldn’t dare go after one in hopes of getting its pot of gold. Instead, find a Nazi leprechaun and a Jew may find him or herself in a concentration camp.

A novel on Nazi Leprechauns, now I’ve seen everything. Good God.

Now How is this a Good Idea for a Children’s Book? And How the Hell Did This Get Published?

The other day I came across the a website site devoted to terrible library books libraries everywhere removed from their shelves. Of course, many of them were outdated and damaged, while others tend to be outright inappropriate to put on the shelves. Ones that particularly caught my eye were a good set of children’s book which either discussed a certain subject which I would see as inappropriate and/or completely misses the point or even gives a message that’s completely wrong and harmful to kids in general. Some people think that anyone can write a children’s book (not really) yet many of these examples tend to make me disagree as well as scratch my head thinking was it a good idea gone bad, how can this be a children’s book, and how did this ever get published.

1. Worst Children’s Book Author: Doris Sanford. Sure she writes kiddie books on serious issues only to manage to mislead as well as terrify parents and kids of all ages everywhere. Her books usually date from the 1980s or 1990s or  right around the time when I was a kid. These are usually books that tend to feature a child with abusive parents who shouldn’t have kids. Yet, she seems to discuss nothing wrong with the parents’ abusive behavior unless it involves pedophilia, satanic rituals, drugs, or alcoholism, and she conveys her message badly. Also, the artwork is beyond creepy and sometimes the subject matter is rather inappropriate for children. But don’t take my word for it, perhaps see for yourself how Doris Sanford discusses issues to kids like:

Satanic ritual abuse: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/satan-for-kids/><http://awfullibrarybooks.net/satan-for-kids-part-2/>

Titled: Don’t Make Me Go Back, Mommy

Child sex abuse: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/please-dont-talk-about-it-anymore/>

Titled: I Can’t Talk About It

Teen Drug Abuse: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/please-dont-talk-about-it-anymore/>

Titled: I Can Say No

Divorce: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/daddy-left-because-you-were-bad/>

Titled: Please Come Home

Parents Having an Argument (or just plain being abusive to kids, I can’t tell which): <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/lisas-parents-fight/>

Titled: Lisa’s Parents Fight

Alcoholism: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/mommy-is-a-drunk/>

Titled: I Know the World’s Worst Secret

After looking at these books you might want to be sick.

2. Most Unintentionally Hilarious: Well, it’s perhaps Latawnya the Naughty Horse Learns to Say “No” to Drugs by Sylvia Scott Gibson. Another children’s book with a message which does get across but it’s pretty badly written. However, this is a terrible way to teach kids not to do drugs. Yeah, the characters are all talking horses but still, the illustrations of the horses smoking and drinking, well, I don’t think any parent or child can come across them without nearly dying of laughter. Yeah, it’s pretty ridiculous but falls into the “so bad, it’s good” variety. About as effective to teaching your kids not to do drugs as Reefer Madness.

Here’s a link: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/partying-horses/>

3. Worst Message for Young Girls: I would say it would have to be between Maggie Goes on a Diet and My Beautiful Mommy. Both books are certainly geared to young girls and convey terrible messages about physical appearance and your time be much better spent if you and your daughter watch The Little Mermaid or Snow White. The former is about a teenage girl with a weight issue who ends up improving her life after she went on a diet and lost weight (such as improving her soccer game, grades, and suddenly being popular and attractive to boys). Look, in a climate of high obesity rates, I understand how important it is for a child to lose weight since we all know the health risks like diabetes, heart disease, back pain, and early death. We should encourage our kids to lose weight or go on a diet but it should be discussed as health issue and should only be done for health reasons. Also, exercise should be in equation as well. This book doesn’t discuss it as such and presents a diet as a cure for negative body image and poor self-esteem. Losing weight might improve self-esteem but it’s not going to quite make you popular, desirable to boys, or better at school. The latter is about a girl whose mother has plastic surgery (like a tummy tuck and a nose job) which is discussed in glowing terms even though there’s absolutely no reason to have it. She looks fine. I mean this is the mother being insecure about her own looks and aging, especially weight gain, which is normal for anyone who’s at least 30. If there should be a book about mommy getting plastic surgery, then perhaps put her in a disfiguring accident for God’s sake and discuss how cosmetic restorative surgery helped her get her life back together. Still, both these books teach girls that appearances matter and if your unhappy about your own physical appearance, you should change it, which will make everything better. What a load of crap. Oh, and their both written by guys, one a plastic surgeon in Miami.

Link to Maggie Goes on a Diet: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/you-are-never-too-young-to-think-about-going-on-a-diet/>

Link to My Beautiful Mommy: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/mommy-needs-to-get-pretty/>

4. Most Scary Subject Matter: Why, Nobody Wants a Nuclear War by Judith Vigna. Of course, there is no perfect way to talk to our kids about scary subjects, especially the concept of nuclear warfare prone to obliterate everyone practically in it’s path. Heck, it’s a scary subject for adults. Still, even worse, this was written in 1986. 1960 might have been better since the Cuban Missile Crisis happened around 1962. Read this to your kid as a bedtime story and you will be sure he or she will have nightmares.

Link: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/end-of-the-world-for-kids/>

5. Worst Children’s Book Ever: I would have to say the honor has to go to a book called Alfie’s Home by Richard Cohen which is probably a great candidate for perhaps the worst kiddie book I ever came across. There are just so many things wrong with it that I would never recommend adults even to read it. Yeah, it’s incredibly fucked up and beyond terrible. For one, the book’s subject is about homosexuality with it’s message that it’s not okay. And of course, this is probably intended for Conservative Christian Evangelicals in the Bible Belt as well as Ex-Gay ministries everywhere. Second, it’s about a boy who questions his sexuality since his dad’s constantly working, his parents fight all the time, and his creepy uncle is sexually abusing him. Third, there’s actually a scene with the boy and his uncle in bed together and it’s implied that they are doing naughty things. Not to mention, there are pretty creepy parent diagrams later. Seriously, who shows child molestation in a children’s book, honestly? And to make things worse, the school guidance counselor attributes the kid question his sexuality because his dad’s not spending enough time with him or his mother. So the parents go to marriage counseling, the uncle gets some undefined help, Alfie spends more time with his dad, and later you see Alfie all grown up and with a wife and kids who’s not gay anymore. Really? Not only does this book portray homosexuality inaccurately, but considering what is happening in Alfie’s life, his sexual orientation is perhaps the least of his problems. Also, being a child of sex abuse can screw someone up for life. God what an awful fucked up book. Must’ve been published by a Christian publishing company in Texas or some other Southern state.

Link: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/gayness-explained/>

And here’s another review: <http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/blogs/latest/entry/the-worst-childrens-book-ever-alfies-home>

6. Most Cringe Worthy Cover: Todd and the Talking Pinata Talk Sacrifice, though the story is not bad and it’s actually not the Talking Pinata that gets sacrificed, you have to wonder. Also, Talking Pinata and baseball bat? That could get ugly. Still, pretty weird.

Link: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/friday-fiction-todd-and-the-talking-pinata-talk-sacrifice/>

7. Worst Excuse for a PSA: If People Were Perfect, which is an e-book from KeepYourChildSafe.org, which is to address sexual abuse and prevention. Still, it doesn’t seem to prevent kids with being traumatized, especially with those creepy illustrations. Not to mention, it’s an e-book. Also, they have another one called The Day My House Catched Fires (honestly, believe me).

Link: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/e-weeding/>

8. Worst Use in Photography: The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright. May seem like a cute idea at the time like in 1957, but by today’s standards it’s sure as hell creepy and willing to traumatize your kids into nightmaredom as we know it. Also, the doll gets spanked by a teddy bear. Jesus Christ.

Link: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/the-other-bride-of-chucky/>

9. Worst Retelling: The Magic Nutcracker which is kind of a creepy story catered to young girls since it’s made into a ballet, Yet, these pictures are oh, so creepy. Then again, many fairy tales tend to be creepy in general. This will make your children cringe around Christmas time. Also, pretty badly written.

Link: <http://awfullibrarybooks.net/nutcracker/>