Mississippi teacher Toby Price was sacked in 2022 after choosing I Need A New Butt! by New Zealand author Dawn McMillan for Read Across America Day.

The illustrated book, aimed at children between four and eight years old, tells the humorous story of a boy who discovers a “crack” in his behind and sets out to find a replacement.

Mr Price contested the school’s decision in court — in Hinds County.

After initially losing, an appeals court has now ruled in his favour, saying school authorities had no reason to fire him.

The court rejected authorities’ claim that the children were subjected to “unnecessary embarrassment”, WLBT reports.

The book was “similar in nature to other books contained in the [school] library”, the court added.