In February 2023, Puffin Books, a children’s imprint of Penguin Books, announced that they are revising and editing some of Roald Dahl’s children’s books to remove language that today’s readers deem offensive when it comes to race, gender, weight, and mental health. Dahl is the author of many popular titles such as Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Witches. However, in the years since his death, many have brought attention to a number of harmful tropes used by the late author, including a history of anti-Semitic comments. These views and statements have left a stain on the author’s legacy and in 2020 the Dahl family quietly issued a statement apologizing for the hurt caused by his views. By editing Dahl’s works, Puffin sought to provide a better reading experience for today’s young readers. 

However, some writers and voices within the publishing industry have criticized the updated works as an act of censorship. Some critics claim that the publisher could take too many liberties and change more than small phrases or statements. And others state revisions to suit 21st-century sensibilities risk undermining the genius of great artists and will prevent readers from confronting the world as it is. The changes to Dahl’s books only add fire to an ongoing debate over cultural sensitivity. As for the publisher’s response, Penguin Random House, Puffin’s parent company, announced that it will continue to sell the original versions of the books along with the edited ones.