Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

FEMA Scraps 9/11 Coloring Book

Disturbing images given to thousands of kids to color

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Apr 29, 2009 12:59 PM CDT

(Newser) – After touting it for six years, FEMA has pulled a downloadable coloring book that depicts a plane flying towards the burning Twin Towers from its website. A Scary Thing Happened has been disseminated to thousands of children worldwide and no one has complained about it—or its potential to traumatize kids—until now, a public official tells the New York Daily News. FEMA has yet to offer an explanation for the move.

"I have a letter from FEMA in 2003 applauding us for the coloring book," says the Minnesota official, whose county developed the disaster guide after a tornado. "I feel like it was happening in the world and kids saw it," defends the 68-year-old grandmother who drew the 9/11 images. "It is life."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

This screenshot from FEMA's "A Scary Thing Happened" shows a plane flying towards the Twin Towers. (fema.gov)

This screenshot from "A Scary Thing Happened" shows a page that depicts the events of 9/11. (fema.gov)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

It was developed to help children make some sense after a disaster. This is not about traumatizing them. - Rose Olmsted, a
Freeborn County, Minn., official

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Senators Make Deal to Avoid Government Shutdown

Lawmakers freed up to act on gridlocked legislation

(AP) - Ending weeks of political brinkmanship, Congress finessed a dispute over disaster aid tonight and advanced legislation to avoid a partial government shutdown this weekend. The breakthrough came hours after the Federal Emergency Management Agency indicated it had enough money for disaster relief efforts through Friday. That disclosure allowed lawmakers to jettison a $1 billion replenishment that had been included in the measure—and to crack the gridlock it had caused. More»

Holder: No 'Credible Threats' for 9/11

Attorney general says government will remain watchful

(NEWSER) - For years each Sept. 11 brought warnings of heightened terrorist threats on the grim anniversary. But, thankfully, not this year. US Attorney General Eric Holder said yesterday that there have been no credible threats of terrorism against the US for next week, reports Reuters . "We don't have any credible, specific allegations of activity or threats of any kind of activity on Sept. 11," said Holder. Nevertheless, he added: "We are being vigilant with regard to what is out there. We are prepared to respond to anything that we see." More»

9/11 Shows Psychology's Shortcomings

Report gives humbling assessment of therapists' work

(NEWSER) - Psychologists rushing to Ground Zero on September 11 might have done more harm than good. Experts overestimated how many people—including firefighters and police who responded—would experience stress for a prolonged period following the disaster, according to a report coming out in American Psychologist. Many also might have been too quick to diagnose Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to those watching on TV, says the New York Times . More»

WikiLeaks Reveals al-Qaeda Bigwigs' Location on 9/11

Docs unveil bin Laden hideouts, tension within group

(NEWSER) - On 9/11, the bulk of al-Qaeda’s leadership was gathered in a single place: Karachi, Pakistan. One key figure was in a hospital following a tonsillectomy; another was preparing for a biological weapons program; and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was with other leaders in a safe house, watching the attacks on TV, the Washington Post reports. Within 24 hours, they returned to Afghanistan to brace for war, WikiLeaks documents show. Once there, Osama bin Laden told Arab fighters “to defend Afghanistan against the infidel invaders." More»

Feds Hunt Possible 5th 9/11 Terrorist Cell

Suspected terrorists got away, WikiLeaks reveals

(NEWSER) - The FBI is looking for a team of suspected terrorists that may have been involved in the 9/11 attacks but got away, newly released WikiLeaks documents reveal. The three Qatari men flew from London to New York three weeks before the attacks, conducted surveillance on the targets and other locations including the Statue of Liberty, then flew to Los Angeles and stayed in a hotel room paid for by a convicted terrorist. They were scheduled to fly back to Washington DC on the eve of the attacks, but never boarded—they instead flew back to London, then returned to Qatar, the Telegraph reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

FEMA Scraps 9/11 Coloring Book