I’m glad to talk on…

  • How and why to break up with your favorite racist children’s books
  • Racism and nostalgia
  • Radical children’s literature
  • Dr. Seuss
  • Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon
  • Crockett Johnson, Ruth Krauss

For other possible subjects, please see the upcoming talks and list of older ones.


Public Speaking

How to Break Up with Your Favorite Racist Children’s Books (National Humanities Center, 2022)

Was the Cat in the Hat Black? (Talk @ Google, 2017)

Dr. Seuss, Babar, and The Future of Children’s Literature: A Panel with Education Thought Leaders (NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education, 2021)

My bit starts at 16:00, but why not start at the beginning? Dr. Ebony Elizabeth Thomas is the first speaker. You’ll want to hear her.

There are a few other videos on the page of upcoming talks and list of older ones, and others on the “Public Speaking” section of my YouTube channel.


Phil, the Talking Head

Sometimes when I’m on TV or radio, the clips get archived. Here are a few…

on Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ decision to cease publishing six books (March 2021).

On CNN Tonight with Don Lemon

On the CBC’s The National

On Detroit’s WDIV (Channel 4)

More videos on the “Public Speaking” and “Talking Head” sections of my YouTube channel.