The Lawrence Public Library is celebrating national Banned Books Week 2012 in a new way. The library invited artists to depict their favorite banned book and chose seven designs to feature on trading cards, to be given out to the public throughout the week.

photo by: Image courtesy of Lawrence Public Library

Saturday's card, the final card in the series from the Lawrence Public Library's 2012 Banned Books Week trading card project. Pick up cards of your own at the library, 707 Vt., and the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. ARTIST: Dale Martin. BOOK: "1984," by George Orwell. REASON FOR BANNING: One of the most censored books, "1984" has been banned for being "pro-Communist and containing explicit sexual matter." EXCERPT FROM THE ARTIST'S STATEMENT: When I last reread "1984" in 2004, I was struck by how similar the descriptions were to happenings in the world today. Not just by how many of the party phrases in the book sounded eerily similar to sound bites coming out of the Bush administration, but also Orwell's descriptions of cubicle-filled workplaces and rundown infrastructure.

photo by: Image courtesy of Lawrence Public Library

Friday's card, from the Lawrence Public Library's 2012 Banned Books Week trading card project. Watch the Journal-World for a new card to be highlighted each day this week, and pick up cards of your own at the library, 707 Vt., and the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. ARTIST: Lindsey Yankey. BOOK: "Little Red Riding Hood." REASON FOR BANNING: Encourages childhood drinking. EXCERPT FROM ARTIST'S STATEMENT: I've imagined my own version of the ending, after Little Red has gone safely back home. Grandmother and Woodsman are quite frankly glad to have a glass of wine. It had been a long day! After all, the Woodsman had found himself in a nightmare situation: he'd opened the door to Grandmother's house and sliced open the wolf to find Grandmother and Little Red were inside and alive. I'd want a drink after all that, too!

photo by: Image courtesy of Lawrence Public Library

Thursday's card, from the Lawrence Public Library's 2012 Banned Books Week trading card project. Watch the Journal-World for a new card to be highlighted each day this week, and pick up cards of your own at the library, 707 Vt., and the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. ARTIST: Ashton Martin. BOOK: "On the Origin of Species," by Charles Darwin. REASON FOR BANNING: From 1925 to 1967, this book was banned in the state of Tennessee. EXCERPT FROM ARTIST'S STATEMENT: At El Dorado High School, I personally experienced, first-hand, attempts by the School Board to censor teachings of Darwin's theories. Inspired by the pursuit of intellectual curiosity, and a defiant science teacher, I went on to earn a degree from KU in Environmental Science. I dedicate this piece to Trey Harrison and all others who are willing to defy censorship.

photo by: Image courtesy of Lawrence Public Library

Wednesday's card, from the Lawrence Public Library's 2012 Banned Books Week trading card project. Watch the Journal-World for a new card to be highlighted each day this week, and pick up cards of your own at the library, 707 Vt., and the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. ARTIST: Heather Martin. BOOK: "Call of the Wild," by Jack London. REASON FOR BANNING: In 1929, Italy and Yugoslavia banned "Call of the Wild" for being "too radical." London's works were also burned by the Nazi Party in 1933 because he had an infamous reputation for being an outspoken supporter of Socialism. EXCERPT FROM ARTIST'S STATEMENT: This book is often misclassified as a children's book because the main character, Buck, is a dog. "Call of the Wild" visits many mature concepts and has vivid scenes of violence and cruelty that may not be suitable for children.

photo by: Image courtesy of Lawrence Public Library

Monday’s card, from the Lawrence Public Library's 2012 Banned Books Week trading card project. Watch the Journal-World for a new card to be highlighted each day this week, and pick up cards of your own at the library, 707 Vt., and the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. ARTIST: Kent Smith. BOOK: “Slaughterhouse Five,” by Kurt Vonnegut. REASON FOR BANNING: Removed from Michigan schools for being “depraved, immoral, psychotic, vulgar, and anti-Christian.” Burned by the Drake County, North Dakota School Board. Recently removed from school curricula and libraries in Republic, Mo. EXCERPT FROM ARTIST'S STATEMENT: By allowing the “Poo-tee-weet” birds a ride on one of the Dresden bombs, we are given a visual to Vonnegut’s juxtaposition of serious and fatalistic subject matter with the satirical and the absurd. The image is both violent and humorous. “So it goes.”

photo by: Image courtesy of Lawrence Public Library

Sunday's card, from the Lawrence Public Library's 2012 Banned Books Week trading card project. Watch the Journal-World for a new card to be highlighted each day this week, and pick up cards of your own at the library, 707 Vt., and the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. ARTIST: Barry Fitzgerald. BOOK: "Animal Farm," by George Orwell. REASON FOR BANNING: Banned in Soviet-era Russia for its political theories. Banned in the United States for its political theories. Banned in the United Arab Emirites for imagery contradicting Islamic values. EXCERPT FROM ARTIST'S STATEMENT: My first grade class was shown the animated film version of this classic book. I'm sure none of us understood all of the symbolism and metaphors in the story, but the viewing left a lasting impression on me. I have since read the book a few times and consider it one of my all-time favorites.