Check first (From Penarth Times)

Check first

RE "BAN THIS BOOK" (Penarth Times, February 20).

The picture of little Jamie Bulger with this article is etched on the nation's memory and must have caught every one's eye again last week as it appeared in your paper.

This was in connection with the story of a grandmother who had bought what she thought was another children's book by Roald Dahl.

In fact, The Swan and the other short stories, originally published in 1977 by Puffin as part of the compilation

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More, are not really suitable for younger children, although this book is listed with all the others.

Not many people seem to know that Roald Dahl started off as a journalist writer of short stories for adults.

I only came across this fact recently when I went to the library in search of more Roald Dahl books for my ten year old son.

I actually borrowed an audio tape containing the above short stories by Roald Dahl and discovered his more macabre side.

His biographer points out that many of his stories are disturbing.

They are often made acceptable by the warm humorous style of his illustrator, Quentin Blake.

The question is, should this compilation of short stories be displayed with children's books in the book shops, with no warning attached to it?

People should definitely be made aware of its nature to stop anyone else making the same mistake and buying it for younger children.

If in doubt, read it first yourself!

Mrs S S Evans Robinswood Crescent Penarth