Random House is a censorship twat

Housewife wins battle with publisher to remove swear word from book by best-selling children's author

By Daily Mail Reporter

A housewife has taken on the combined might of one of Britain's best-selling children's authors and a leading publishing house and won.

Random House Children's Books has agreed to remove a four-letter swearword from a popular book by Dame Jacqueline Wilson, after complaints from Anne Dixon, who insists she is standing up for values of common decency.

The 55-year-old said she was horrified when she came across the expletive in the best-selling book My Sister Jodie - a gift for her nine-year-old great-niece, Eve Coulson.

She complained to Asda, in Stanley, County Durham, where she bought the book, and the store initially removed it from sale.

Now the publishers said they will – by altering one letter – substitute the word with “twit” when the book is reprinted.

Decency fight: Anne Dixon and her 9-year-old niece Eve Coulson. The housewife has won her complaint against publishing giant Random House

On the publisher's website, My Sister Jodie is recommended for children aged from nine to 11.

Mrs Dixon, of Stanley, said: "I am not a prude. In fact, I am quite broad-minded, but this is completely inappropriate for children.

"I bought the book for my niece as a present and was reading it when I came across the word.

"The book has an attractive cover and is clearly for children. They should not have to be subjected to trash and vulgarity.

"I did not expect this from a well-respected author and do not want my young niece to have to see this obscene slang."

Mrs Dixon, who regards herself as an ordinary housewife with no bone to pick with anyone, said she had always encouraged her great-niece to read.

She said: "She comes to visit me regularly and we read to each other.

"We have all the Enid Blyton books, such as the Famous Five and Secret Seven, and had finished all of them.

"I thought I would get her something a little more modern and had heard about Jacqueline Wilson through the popular Tracy Beaker television series."

Jacqueline Wilson: Best selling children's author

Dame Jacqueline has sold more than 20 million books in the UK alone and her stories have been translated into more than 30 languages.

"I knew she was held in high regard and had been a Children's Laureate, but thought I ought to read through the book to make sure it was not too sad," said Mrs Dixon.

"I got to the page where reference was made to a 'toffeenosed twit'.

"On the next page the word changed. I thought I was mistaken, but then I saw to my shock it had been repeated twice again."

Mrs Dixon decided to email the author.

She said: "I asked her if she was aware of this word and if she could do something about it.

"I would like her to explain how she would want me to explain this to my daughter even if it is in the context of the character."

Mrs Dixon complained to Asda when she heard nothing from Dame Jacqueline.

A spokesman for Random House Children's Books said: "In the context of the character, we felt it was used in a way that accurately portrayed how children like Jodie would speak to each other.

"The book is aimed at children aged ten and over, and we felt it was acceptable for that age range.

"However, in light of this response we have decided to amend the word when we reprint the book."

A spokesman for Asda said: "Since the book was launched in March this year, we have sold over 28,000 copies and this is the first complaint we have had.

"Jacqueline Wilson books are extremely popular with our customers, and are the top-selling children's books in most high street stores.

"The book is aimed at children aged ten and over, and we felt it was acceptable for that age range.

"The publisher is aware of the word that is featured in the book and has agreed that it is not appropriate for children and will be reprinting copies.

"As soon as these copies are available, we will stock them in our stores. We are sorry for any upset caused."

However, the spokesman said that Asda had since reviewed the matter and would continue stocking My Sister Jodie in all its UK outlets. Dame Jacqueline was unavailable for comment.