Penguin Random House is known for its iconic status as a book publishing house and defender of the First Amendment, challenging book bans in states across the United States.
But in a new campaign, the company has made a banned book the… second coolest accessory.
Partnering with Online Ceramics, a Los Angeles-based clothing brand that makes hand-dyed apparel (most notably for A24 and the Grateful Dead), Penguin Random House has debuted a clothing collaboration, aptly titled “Reading Is A Right.”
The capsule collection features apparel items like socks, sweats, T-shirts, and hats with messaging intended to raise awareness about book bans.
Penguin Random House has committed to donating 100% of its net profits from the collection to the American Library Association.
In addition to supporting libraries and librarians nationwide, the ALA is a nonprofit that compiles data on book challenges throughout the U.S. and acts as a watchdog for censorship efforts in public institutions.
“This message is incredibly timely in this climate when censorship is rampant and federal funding for libraries has been gutted,” ALA’s president, Cindy Hohl, said in a statement.
Like Hohl mentioned, book challenges are growing in the U.S. According to ALA’s data, 2,452 unique titles were challenged in 2024, which is in contrast to the average 273 unique titles challenged annually between 2001 and 2020.
President Donald Trump also recently signed an executive order that cuts funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Penguin Random House is among publishers suing states like Idaho and Florida over challenges to books by authors like Jodi Picoult, John Green, Angie Thomas, and more.
“Censorship, in the form of book bans, is a direct threat to democracy and our constitutional rights, as well as our mission to create books for everyone,” Penguin Random House’s website states.
“That’s why we’re defending books in court.”
And this new collection helps defend books on the streets.
It includes cream and tie-dyed T-shirts featuring the publisher’s fuzzy penguin mascot, who appears to be reading an open book; Its cover says “Practice Magic: Read.”
These go for a heftier $65, though shoppers can also find more affordable items, like $35 “Reading Is a Right” socks, and a $5 “Read a Banned Book” bumper sticker.
Other higher value items include hoodies and sweatpants, priced at $135 and $85, respectively.
Another T-shirt acts more as a walking billboard for Penguin Random House’s Intellectual Freedom Task Force, which directs anyone reading it to the publisher’s hub on book bans.
Elijah Funk, a co-founder of Online Ceramics, said the publisher is “the absolute epicenter of all things books,” as reported by Fast Company.
“I’ve always wanted to partner with them, and once I found out about their work standing up for the freedom to read, I knew we needed to highlight their efforts as a positive force for good and bring more visibility to this issue,” Funk added.
“There’s a reason books are usually one of the first things to be burned or banned from communities. Books are about justice, freedom, history, and imagination: some of the most powerful tools a person or community can have. And the library makes them free and accessible for every person.”
Any purchases made from the collection between April 15 and Tuesday, July 15 of this year will contribute to the ALA’s Literacy Bridge Fund to support media literacy efforts and keep books on library shelves.
The brands have also offered a 20% discount to all educators and librarians.
Header image courtesy of Online Ceramics/Penguin Random House
