Go the Fu** to Sleep': Bonhoeffer author explains how his children's book got ripped off

Eric Metaxas is the brilliant author behind one of Glenn's favorite works, "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy." But when he's not writing about German patriots, he pens children's books. One such book, "It's time to Sleep, My Love," was recently parodied by someone else. Ripped off, really. So, being the writer he is, Metaxas decided to turn the experience into an op-ed complete with an insightful message on language:

I'm the author of several books, including children's books. But my latest children's book -- a gorgeously illustrated lullaby titled "It's Time to Sleep, My Love' -- was recently parodied by someone... The parody is a #1 bestseller, and the title is, umm... “Go the F*** to Sleep.” Sorry, but I'm not joking. Perhaps you've seen it? It's been hard to miss.

It's all a bit bizarre, especially because the author of the F-bomb book never admits it's a parody of my book, which is illustrated by the famous children's book author/illustrator Nancy Tillman. But if you look at the two books for yourself, it's screamingly obvious! Check out the similarities here.

Admittedly, his book is funny and cleverly done, but the idea that a #1 bestseller has the F-word in the title really does bother me. I'm almost flattered that this guy thought to parody my book -- even if he won't admit it -- but did he really need to use that word in the title?

[...]

So what's my beef? I guess I'm concerned that vulgarity has now officially entered the mainstream of our culture and I think people have to respectfully stand up and say "no thanks." Does the fact these things are in the eyes of the beholder mean that we cannot have some public standards? Or that we shouldn't at least try?

Read the rest here.

Metaxas chronicles more of the rip-off over at his blog, EricMetaxas.com. It's worth the read.

Full disclosure: Metaxas taught some classes at my alma matter, The King's College.