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RH Children's to remove offensive word

21.08.08

Random House Children's Books has yet to make a decision when it will reprint Jacqueline Wilson's My Sister Jodie after deciding to remove an offensive word from future reprints of the book.

The publisher said it had received three complaints over the use of the word "twat" in the title aimed at children aged 10 and over. It is to be replaced by the word "twit". It has sold more than 150,000 copies of the book since publication in March. Georgia Lawe, deputy publicity director, said it was in the process of deciding internally whether to reprint straightaway or wait for stock of the current printing to run out.

In a statement, following the decision to remove the offensive word, the publisher said: "We are very sorry if anyone is offended by the language used in Jacqueline Wilson's My Sister Jodie."

"Jacqueline Wilson aims to reflect the realities of modern life, including dialogue, in her books. Children do hear a wide variety of language in the playground and through this, learn what is and isn’t acceptable, and also how language demonstrates mood and feelings. In the context of the character we felt the word was used in a way that accurately portrayed how children like Jodie and her friends would speak to each other, and it also contributed to the reader’s understanding of how Jodie felt in the situation."

"The book is aimed at children aged ten and over, and we felt it was an acceptable word for that age range, especially as it is commonly used in a way that is removed from its original meaning. We have sold over 150,000 copies of the book since publication in March this year and have only received 3 complaints. In light of these complaints we had already decided to amend the text when the book reprints, so new editions of the book do not contain it."

According to the Northern Echo, Anne Dixon complained to Asda, in Stanley, County Durham, after buying the book as a gift for her nine-year old great-niece, Eve Coulson. The store initially removed it from sale, but has now put it back on its shelves, after a decision made by its head-office to continue stocking My Sister Jodie in all its UK outlets. The Times reports that Asda has removed it from its shelves: but it is still available on its website.

Random House children's Home Jacqueline Wilson

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Comments on this article

By Jurgen Wolff

So the 3 who complained count for more than the 147,997 people who didn't...that's today's PC arithmetic. If four of us complain that we're offended by the word "twit" I wonder what will be substituted in the next edition?

21 Aug 08 15:38

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By Donna Merritt

Is Random House out of its mind? This is a slippery slope to censorship. If Ms. Dixon did not like the word, she could have simply returned the book to the store. Why is RH not protecting the efforts of the author (a well-known, respected author) to create realistic dialogue?

22 Aug 08 15:35

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By David R N Livesley - Woodstock Vermont

Great to see that Random House and one of their leading childrens authors (who I have the most respect for) are allowing three people and one of the UK's leading bookstores (...now that should get a comment or two...) to reflect what society finds acceptable. Here in the US the fundamentalist right wing....so called 'christian folk' do dictate what are acceptable books in certain States and it's saddens me to see that the UK is following this 'reasonable' lead. It concerns me that these 'twats' (which is I feel only a mildly offensive term) should want kids books to not reflect the society they grow up in. Twits...all three of them for having nothing better to do with their lives....and Jacqueline what do you think?

23 Aug 08 02:43

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By writeroffthelake

We were certainly saying a lot more off-color words than "twat" when we were 10. Back in the 50's parents had the good sense to just laugh it off, maybe because they remembered that they once used the same language around their friends. If kids don't hear these so-called bad words, how are they ever going to learn which words are appropriate to use in front of grown ups, and which you have to save for times you're alone with friends your own age?

24 Aug 08 23:41

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