Abstract
The author expresses frustration over recent changes made to Roald Dahl's children's books as part of what they perceive as "cancel culture." They mention growing up with Dahl's books and sharing them with their son, finding the stories timeless and enjoyable. The author questions why classic works are being altered in a time when literacy rates are declining and children who read for pleasure are rare.
The text highlights specific changes made to Dahl's books, such as Augustus Gloop no longer being described as fat, Mrs Twit's appearance being altered, and the Oompa-Loompas becoming gender-neutral. The author questions the necessity of these changes, arguing that spiders are often black and earthworms are often pink, and wonders if innocuous colors like black and pink are now considered inappropriate. They also point out the removal of the word "black" in describing tractors in Fantastic Mr. Fox and discuss the shift in language in The Witches to empower women.
The author disagrees with the changes and believes that they limit the imaginative world Dahl created. They express their intention to continue reading the original versions of Dahl's books with their son, appreciating the lively, edgy, and colorful nature of the stories.
In conclusion, the author expresses concern about the changes made to Roald Dahl's books, questioning the motivations behind them and advocating for the preservation of the original works for future generations to enjoy.
