Children’s author is banned from reading his book at a London faith school – amid fears the fantasy novel featuring magic and cups of tea could promote WITCHCRAFT
- Andy Sagar was due to read his debut children’s book at London school on Friday
- The visit, which was arranged through his publisher, was cancelled last minute
- Mr Sagar said the school raised concerns that his book could promote witchcraft
A children’s author has been banned from reading his new book at a London based faith school because they did not want to be seen ‘promoting witchcraft’.
Andy Sagar’s debut book Yesterday Crumb and the Storm in a Teacup is about a girl named Yesterday who discovers a magical, walking teashop run by a flamboyant tea witch.
The Cambridge graduate turned author had been due to visit a school in London to read segments of his book on Friday.
Children’s author Andy Sagar (pictured) has been banned from reading his children’s book at a London based faith school because they did not want to be seen ‘promoting witchcraft’
Mr Sagar told his Twitter followers that his visit had been cancelled by the school on Friday
But Mr Sagar said his visit was cancelled by the school after they decided it would promote witchcraft.
Taking to Twitter, the author, who is gay and lives in London with his boyfriend, wrote: ‘Was expecting some homophobia tbh, never saw the witchphobia coming.
‘I wasn’t exactly planning on teaching potion-making or broom-stick-riding.
‘Never really thought a book about tea and magic could cause much drama, but here we are.’
Mr Sagar has since received support from fellow authors and fans alike who have rushed out to buy his book in solidarity.
Andy Sagar’s latest book Yesterday Crumb and the Storm in a Teacup (above) is about a girl named Yesterday who discovers a magical, walking teashop run by a flamboyant tea witch
Chocolat author Joanne Harris messaged Andy and advised he get in touch with the Society of Authors, adding: ‘If the school cancelled your event for this, I would think you deserve compensation.’
Fellow children’s author James Nicol said: ‘OK people – hands up I’ve not read Andy’s book so I don’t know the full contents – I’m ordering it now though it sound delightful! but seriously I don’t think a book about a TEA WITCH is going to promote anything more risky than tea and cake and I’m all for that!’
Meanwhile, a publishing source told the Sun on Sunday: ‘This is PC gone mad. Children should be able to use their imagination at school. It’s all part of learning and creativity.’
Andy is currently pursuing a PHD on the role of law in the witch-hunts, which helped inspire his fiction.
Last month, a Catholic school came under fire after banning a visit by a gay author.
Simon James Green had been due to talk about his novel Noah Can’t Even, which features a gay character.
However, the visit to The John Fisher School in Purley, south London, was cancelled by the Archdiocese of Southwark, which oversees it.
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