BOOK IT!, a free reading incentive program for PreK-6th grade classrooms, parents, and homeschool families sponsored by the pizza chain, is recommending two books on its site that have conservatives upset: Big Wig, described on the BOOK IT! site as a “wonderful read-aloud” that “celebrates the universal childhood experience of dressing up and the confidence that comes with putting on a costume; and Be Amazing: A History of Pride.
.@pizzahut sponsors a program which incentivizes kids in PreK-6th grade to read books. This week, one of their suggested books is “Big Wig.” A book about a child who becomes a drag performer. pic.twitter.com/5FTQC5ubCo
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 3, 2022
The book was promoted as part of Pizza Hut’s “Camp Book It!” program, which runs during the summer. Participants in Pre-K-6th grade can receive a personal pan pizza as a reward for meeting their reading goal.
The book’s publisher, Simon & Schuster, describes Big Wig like this: “In the spirit of Julián Is a Mermaid, this irrepressible picture book celebrates drag kids, individuality, and self-confidence from the perspective of a fabulous wig!”
Reaction online was swift, with several prominent conservatives calling for a boycott.
#boycottpizzahut pizzahut has officially started flaming in more than one way. Keep wokeness away from our children. It's one thing to ask for acceptance in our society, it's another to force causes that are about sexuality onto children. Let kids be kids. pic.twitter.com/owDVsXwvEF
— CanadianStrength (@GamingIronfire) June 4, 2022
I do not support the child groomers. #BoycottPizzaHut https://t.co/Sz8sy3CdXu
— Chief Wolfhound, BS, MBA, MSS, MS, SES-2, Ret. (@DeMelaatse) June 4, 2022
Paranoid homophobic bigots think Pizza Hut is forcing inappropriate material on children, adding Big Wig to their reading collection.
— Sandy Netherton (@desdemona31) June 5, 2022
That's why #BoycottPizzaHut is trending. Terrified someone is going to "turn gay." Gay people turned straight with all the hetero books? lol gafb