Jacqueline Wilson's latest hardback children's book has been age-banded by her publisher despite the author signing the "No to Age Banding" pledge. The hardback of Cookie, which is published this week (2nd October) by Doubleday, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, includes the age band 9+, as does the back of the special edition tin that contains the book.
The development first came to light when a bookseller left a comment on theBookseller.com. It read: "We received stock of Jacqueline Wilson's new book Cookie at work today.
The development first came to light when a bookseller left a comment on theBookseller.com. It read: "We received stock of Jacqueline Wilson's new book Cookie at work today.
She's signed the statement at www.notoagebanding.org and yet the back of the tin that the book is inside (and therefore I'm guessing the back of the book itself) has an age banding stamp on it of 9+. I've seen stamps on quite a few other books recently (including the new Puffin Classics edition of What Katie Did) but this is the first time I've seen one on a book by one of the signed up authors."
In a statement Random House said Wilson had agreed to the banding on the back of the hardback after "close discussion" with the author. The statement read: "Jacqueline can see the arguments both for and against printed age guidance on books but does retain some reservations about the subject. She has agreed for age guidance to be put on the cover of Cookie but RHCB will maintain the discussion with her and her agent over the matter and will review the situation on a book by book basis."
In a statement Random House said Wilson had agreed to the banding on the back of the hardback after "close discussion" with the author. The statement read: "Jacqueline can see the arguments both for and against printed age guidance on books but does retain some reservations about the subject. She has agreed for age guidance to be put on the cover of Cookie but RHCB will maintain the discussion with her and her agent over the matter and will review the situation on a book by book basis."
Wilson told The Guardian that her future titles would not be age-banded, but that as this one had been produced "ages ago" with special "cookie tin" packaging she had decided against making a fuss over the inclusion of the 9+ graphic.
(TheBookseller.com 3rd October 08)
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4 comments:
Another interesting post. I was not aware of an issue regarding age banding, I just assumed it was a guide for the reader and for parents. Thanks for the information.
Warmly,
Terri
Hi Dorothy,
I just recently heard of the controversy over this age banding here in the states. I don't think we have heard the last of this yet.
Keep up the good work.
Carma
http://carmaswindow.blogspot.com
"I don't think we have heard the last of this yet."
Neither do i and i wonder how this is going to end.
Great blog keep up tthe good work.
Darlene Mahone
blimey. i remember i used to read Jacqueline wilson all the time. but i was really slow at reading so it took the whole of year 4 to finnish vicky's angel. =D ... could you have a look at my blog. most of my stories are for children. and i'm just starting out (i'm 15) do u think u could tell me what you think.
me xxx
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