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The last of “Charlie” Congratulations to Horn Book for providing a forum where people involved with children have had an opportunity to explore and debate values and ideas concerning children’s literature. I’ve been fascinated by the many shades of opinion expressed in the Letters to the Editor vis-a-vis the Cameron-Dahl positions and had no intention of entering the tournament until I read the letter from Alexander Crosby which refers to a letter I wrote to School Library Journal. I feel that I must enlighten Mr. Crosby and others who read his letter concerning the decision to revise Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In the first place, my SLJ letter specifically states that it was Mr. Dahl, his editors and publisher who “shared the concern expressed,” and Mr. Dahl who made the revisions; therefore to ask “will he now write a letter to Doris Bass” seems either a factious thrust or an indication that my letter was read-in-to, not read. Secondly, I take exception to Mr. Crosby’s choice of words in his next sentence. The decision to revise was neither “censorship” nor was it done to suit the “liberal” or “reactionary” mind. To be sensitive and responsive to the changes in consciousness over the past decade isn’t liberal or reactionary (terms which have primarily political connotations) nor is it censorship. It’s just trying to be “good people” as one’s own awareness of other people’s feelings and needs is expanded. Thirdly, I’d like to comment on Mr. Crosby’s rather dramatic image of publishing decisions. We here at Random House, Pantheon and Knopf never considered the forthcoming revision “an astonishing concession.” It was accomplished with the same attitudes and judgments that determine when any book should be put out of print or revised because it no longer accurately reflects current thinking. I love emotionally charged words — they make good reading and greatly enhance 100-word book annotations. The danger arises when they distort the truth, and Mr. Dahl’s relationship with his editor and publisher should not be impugned in order to score points. DORIS BASS |
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