Author Nikkolas Smith’s illustrated book encouraging children to use art to promote social change will remain in Pinellas County schools.

A committee of Pinellas parents and teachers unanimously rejected a request from four Curtis Fundamental Elementary families to remove “The Artivist” from elementary school libraries because of its political views. The members found the book suitable for student needs and appropriate for the age group it was available to.

“There is nothing objectionable in this book. This is fine to read,” said committee member David Schell, a Curtis teacher. “It’s not telling anybody what to think. It’s allowing the community to think.”

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“It teaches kids about good things,” fourth grader Alexander Wilson told the committee, pointing to the page on trans kids as his favorite. “Why are people telling me what I can read or not read? The only person who can tell me what to read is my mom.”