Roald Dahl's children's rhymes really are revolting, but that is no bad thing

Aldi's decision to withdraw his book from sale in Australia is unfair to children, who appreciate and need a taste of rude reality

Roald Dahl's perennially popular children's literature has serious form for perturbing parents and other responsible adults, even as it launches kids with a whizz and a bang into the dangerous, joyful world of independent reading. I vividly remember my primary school English teacher denouncing Danny the Champion of the World because it encouraged pheasant-theft and underage driving (neither of which I tried, though I'll admit to having been tempted by both).

Continue reading...