Censoring old kids' books

[David]

An interesting counterpoint: a friend pointed out that not only isn't this a specifically "woke"/PC thing, but that the idea of polishing up children's books to meet modern social norms in new editions was something done routinely in the past. An example is the Hardy Boys series, which was first published from 1927 but from 1959 began appearing in new, updated editions courtesy of the daughter of the creator of the series. You can see the timeline of changes and a list of the types of modifications made here: http://www.hardyboysonline.net/content. ... -revisions

Here's the full list of what was changed in the first 38 volumes between 1959 and 1973:

• Shorter books (180 pages instead of 225, 20 chapters instead of 25)
• Streamlined writing style (sometimes at the cost of humor, charm, and believability!)
• Elimination of racial stereotypes (for the most part)
• Modernization (no more roadsters and automats)
• Consistency of premises (Frank and Joe no longer gradually age from 15/16 to 17/18)
• Consistency of interior layout (the same typeface is used in all revised books)
• Newfound respect for officers of the law
• Deflation of Aunt Gertrude's character

Of course, pointing to something happening in the past doesn't mean it's right or wrong. But it does provide some context to those who think this is some new phenomenon being pushed by "generation snowflake" or whatever.

[Skids]

If it's a book that engages kids and they enjoy it, its served its purpose.

[stui magpie]

I was reading Peter Pan to my Grandson last night and found myself having to censor it as I was reading. Only got a few pages in before I quit.

It's a 25 year old Disney book but Geezus.

First Wendy's Dad throws a wobbly because his Tie won't tie properly, blames the kids, starts yelling at them, telling them Children should be seen and not heard and they needed to all grow up, quickly.

Then when Peter is flying with Wendy and the boys to Never Never Land, Tinkerbell cracks the sads, is thinking that she hates Wendy because Peter is giving her the attention and starts plotting to kill her. This is a 7 year old kid who's experienced being abandoned and witnessed drug use and family violence, I aint reading him that as a bedtime story.

[David]

[pietillidie]

Read originals as originals; read modernised versions as modernised versions. The Christian Bible seems to do fine that way.

The Adventures of the Wishing-Chair and the Wishing Chair Again were my favourite Enid Blyton books. No wonder I've lived in so many different lands!

Of course, that was more a product of hand-me-downs from my sisters than choice, but I remember them and I don't remember plenty of others.

[stui magpie]