A children's author's choice of words are under scrutiny after the principal of an elementary school ended a reading to a group of students.
Kevin Bolger, the famed Ottawa author of the best-selling book Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger, was asked to leave Manor Park Public School when the school's principal walked in on a reading of his new novel Zombiekins and overheard Bolger talking about a character named "Mrs. Imavitch."
The principal ended the reading because she deemed the language used by the author inappropriate.
"It could be interpreted a couple of ways, a witch, or another word that rhymes with a not so appropriate word to be talking about without context," said Barrie Hammond of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
However, a Grade 7 student reading the book at a local bookstore on Tuesday told CTV Ottawa he thought the character's name was clever.
"I thought it was kind of funny because it's subtly saying -- she's a witch," said Timothy McCarthy Kennedy.
That's just what the author meant by giving the character her name. In the book, Mrs. Imavitch is depicted as a witch. Bolger said she also has a heavy Transylvanian accent.
Bolger told CTV Ottawa it's unfortunate his reading was cut short over a clear misunderstanding of the text. However, he added the principal has the right to reject any presentation to her students.
The Ottawa Writers Festival organized the reading at Manor Park Public School, and organizers like Sean Wilson can't believe the fuss.
"Kevin's books are so funny," said Wilson.
He said Bolger has made several visits to schools in the past and there has never been a problem. Bolger read his novel, where he referenced Mrs. Imavitch, at three other Ottawa schools on Tuesday.
Bolger is an Ottawa teacher who teaches students in Grades 2-6. Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger was his first novel; Zombiekins is his second book.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Vanessa Lee
