Home / News Here are the Roald Dahl rewrites no one asked for urbanbuzz/ Shutterstock Classic works by the beloved children's author are getting a cultural scrub. By Diva Anwari February 22, 2023 urbanbuzz/ Shutterstock Rectangle “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “The BFG,” and “Matilda,” are just a few of Roald Dahl’s most famous works for kids. His books are the kind you might read to your kids at bedtime or even pass down from your own childhood. They’re the stuff of childhood memories. CBS news reports that Roald Dahl rewrites are currently underway. Some of the beloved children’s book author’s stories are undergoing changes amidst lots of criticism from writers and readers alike. The Roald Dahl Story Company and the publisher, Puffin Books, approved the changes. Inclusive Minds, a sensitivity readers group that focuses on children’s books, were the ones who brought the proposed changes to light. Roald Dahl, 2001 vs 2022 editions:In James and the Giant Peach, the Cloud-Men have become Cloud-People, Miss Sponge is no longer “the fat one”, Miss Spider’s head is no longer “black” and the Earthworm no longer has “lovely pink” skin but “lovely smooth skin”. pic.twitter.com/zd4A7uBUbA— Incunabula (@incunabula) February 18, 2023 In an exclusive with the Telegraph, Puffin Books is reported to have said that they went through with the Roald Dahl book changes so that his stories “can continue to be enjoyed by all today.” Some of the rewrites show that they have taken out words such as, “fat,” “ugly” and “crazy.” All as part of the initiative to make the classic works body-positive friendly and sensitive in matters of mental health. But, that’s not all. They’ve also taken the liberty of changing gendered phrases so if there was “boys and girls” previously, it would now be something like, “people” or “children,” according to the Telegraph. Writers have taken to social media to publicly outcry against this move. Author Salman Rushdie wrote, “Puffin Books and the Dahl estate should be ashamed.” Roald Dahl was no angel but this is absurd censorship. Puffin Books and the Dahl estate should be ashamed. https://t.co/sdjMfBr7WW— Salman Rushdie (@SalmanRushdie) February 18, 2023 Suzanne Nossel, who is the CEO of PEN America, a nonprofit organization that “stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression,” also commented. At @PENamerica we are alarmed at news of "hundreds of changes" to venerated works by @roald_dahl in a purported effort to scrub the books of that which might offend someone. 1/13 https://t.co/IXOkIaXYmt— Suzanne Nossel (@SuzanneNossel) February 18, 2023 Nossel’s tweet is part of a long thread where she added, “selective editing to make works of literature conform to particular sensibilities could represent a dangerous new weapon.” There’s so much literature, she continued, that could be “construed as offensive to someone.” “If we start down the path of trying to correct for perceived slights instead of allowing readers to receive and react to books as written, we risk distorting the work of great authors and clouding the essential lens that literature offers on society,” Nossel wrote. Scrubbing history is not a magical cure-all. When it comes to classic works of literature, sure, they’re problematic in a variety of ways, but those moments provide opportunities for teachable lessons and critical discussions with readers of all ages. Editing for the sake of cultural accuracy is a disservice to readers, authors and the role that stories play in our lives. The Dahl family had previously issued an apology in 2020 regarding other offensive language in his works. The statement, which used to appear on the Roald Dahl Story Company website, said, “Those prejudiced remarks are incomprehensible to us and stand in marked contrast to the man we knew and to the values at the heart of Roald Dahl’s stories, which have positively impacted young people for generations. We hope that, just as he did at his best, at his absolute worst, Roald Dahl can help remind us of the lasting impact of words.” The Roald Dahl Story Company was acquired in 2021 by Netflix. Dahl’s library of written works totals over 40 pieces, including 20 children’s books. His books have sold millions of copies and adaptations of his stories have amassed millions of dollars in the box office. Categories: News, What To Read Related articles Baby Shopping Guide Jessica Biel tells us her 6 motherhood must-haves May 15, 2024 Viral & Trending ‘Love You Forever’ book is once again the cause of a heated online debate May 3, 2024 Celebrity News Mariska Hargitay’s son doesn’t understand why we’re all so obsessed with his mom January 18, 2024 News ‘This is equal custody’: Viral video captures heartbreaking co-parenting moment January 28, 2025 News Mom picks up ‘sick’ 5-year-old daughter from school—what happened next left her speechless January 27, 2025