The “classic” works of children’s author Roald Dahl will be produced in their original form, publisher Penguin Random House said on Friday, following a backlash against attempts to edit his works to fit modern sensibilities.
The company said 17 of Dahl’s books would be published in their original form later this year as “The Roald Dahl Classic Collection”, giving consumers the chance to read Dahl “the way they want”.
A spokesperson for the company said, “The past few days have shown how important Roald Dahl’s stories are to fans around the world, and we have been deeply moved by the power of emotion.”
“The most important thing for us is that everyone continues to enjoy the stories. Puffin UK’s plan to print two editions of the book will give readers – whether 7 or 77 – the option to explore the stories however they wish.” the spokesperson added.
The move comes after the world-renowned British author criticized revisions to several children’s books. It was revealed earlier this week that some had been changed to remove language that some might find offensive. Words relating to weight, gender and race were removed or replaced.
The “overly fat” 9-year-old boy in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was simply called “Giant”, while the “Cloud-Men” from “James and the Giant Peach” became “Cloud-People”.
Miss Trunchbull, the principal in “Matilda”, did not have a “horse” face, and the “eight walnut little idiots” became “eight walnut little boys”.
“As a children’s publisher, our role is to share the magic of stories with children with the greatest of thought and care,” Francesca Dow, managing director of Penguin Random House Children, said in a statement.
“Roald Dahl’s great books are often the first stories young children will read independently, and caring for young readers’ imaginations and rapidly developing minds is both a privilege and a responsibility,” she added.
Susan Sichelsky Contribution,
