Just days before election day, the National Coalition Against Censorship is out with a new campaign to drive awareness of the increasing number of communities across the country that are banning children’s books and calling on Americans to voice their support for the right to read at the voting booth.  

Creative work for the campaign, called “Villains Against Evil,” was done in collaboration with ad agency Innocean USA.  

One insight driving the campaign: Last year The American Library Association saw a 65% increase in the number of children’s books being challenged and banned across the U.S., with many of these banned books featuring topics such as LGBTQI+ health and education, racial disparities, politics, and religion.  

The effort comprises a series of films and social videos featuring well-known storybook villains (The Big Bad Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood, Shere Kahn from The Jungle Book and others) that speak out against an evil even greater than them: Interest Groups and Politicians attempting to ban books.   

The campaign brings the villains to life by blending AI technology — sourcing artists’ licensed work for Adobe Firefly — with animation and voice actors, including Chris Parnell, Rachel Harris, Martin Starr and Chris Witaske.   

“Every child deserves an uncensored education that fully prepares them for a bright future,” stated Lee Rowland, Executive Director of NCAC. “Many banned books cover topics like health, race, politics, identity, and religion -- and are essential to giving students the tools to navigate complex topics with context, empathy, and critical thinking.”  

Censorship, she added, “prevents kids from accessing the best, most accurate, and thorough education that they each deserve."  

Roof Studio, DaHouse Audio, Swing Set Productions, Margarita Mix Hollywood and Lime Music contributed to the effort.  

The campaign will run across Instagram, YouTube and Facebook beginning on October 29 and be posted on an NCAC microsite.