Librarian discusses book bans ahead of Decatur Book Festival; Developmental benefits of new APS play spaces; Remembering Legendary actor John Amos

Closer Look with Rose Scott

Amanda Jones is an award-winning librarian and an anti-censorship advocate. She’s expected to speak at the Decatur Book Festival on Saturday. Ahead of her visit, we revisit Rose’s conversation with Jones. During the conversation, Jones talks about her new book, "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America." The part memoir, part manifesto maps the book-banning crisis happening across the U.S. and chronicles Jones’ efforts to combat it.

Plus, through the Atlanta Community School Parks Initiative, several Atlanta Public Schools are expected to receive a new nature play installation or have their old playgrounds renovated. Rose talks with Dr. Robin Christian, the principal at Barack and Michelle Obama Academy, Sarah Millgan-Toffler, the president and CEO of Children & Nature Network, and Lysa Ratliff, the CEO, KABOOM! The guests discuss the initiative and how having a safe and fun place for children to explore supports healthy development and success.

Lastly, it was recently announced that legendary actor John Amos passed away at the age of 84. Amos was best known for his roles in “Good Times,” “Roots” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” NPR's TV critic Eric Deggans returns to “Closer Look to talk about the actor’s life and legacy and his latest article “ What John Amos taught me about having — and being — a father.”

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