HarperCollins is to remove a story from David Walliams’ The World’s Worst Children following criticism for “harmful stereotypes” in its portrayal of a Chinese boy. The Bookseller reports that a new edition of the book will be published in March 2022 minus the story “Brian Wong, Who Was Never, Ever Wrong” and with a new character.

A statement from the publisher read: "In consultation with our author and illustrator we can confirm that a new story will be written to replace ‘Brian Wong’ in future editions of The World’s Worst Children. The update will be scheduled at the next reprint as part of an ongoing commitment to regularly reviewing content."

The book was first published by HarperCollins Children's Books in May 2016, and features characters such as Nigel Nit-Boy and Bertha the Blubberer. Its follow-up, The World's Worst Children 2, was published a year later.

Podcaster Georgie Ma, who criticised the book on social media, told The Bookseller: “'Wong' and 'wrong' are two words that are commonly used in playgrounds to pick on someone if their surname is Wong. Even just the way Brian has been illustrated. He wears glasses, he looks like a nerd, he’s got small eyes... they're all harmful stereotypes. The overall character plays on the model minority myth where Chinese people are nerdy, swotty and good at maths, we’re not confrontational and we’re high achievers. It was just really disappointing to read about that. Personally for me, because I have a toddler, I don’t want her being absorbed in these stories where Chinese culture is misrepresented."

On hearing of the change, Ma said she was “grateful” to the publisher for “listening and taking action”.

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