ALDI shoppers had mixed opinions when the retailer advertised a series of children’s books for sale this month—with some furious that comedian David Walliams’ The Boy in the Dress would be hitting the shelves.
While many praised the grocery chain for its inclusiveness, some Facebook users complained that the store was promoting ‘transgenderism’ and accused it of joining the ‘genderless bully brigade’.
The story has since come to the attention of Walliams who tweeted that “It is hard to believe this is 2017”.
“It is disappointing when people express these attitudes, but that is why I wrote the book in the first place, to hopefully change the way people think and feel about this subject,” Walliams said.
“It is 10 years since the book was published and now boys go to school in dresses as Dennis from The Boy in the Dress for World Book Day. So I think we are heading in the right direction, to a world where being different can be celebrated.”
ALDI has commented to news.com.au that has “no intention of removing The Boy in the Dress from sale”.
“The book tells the story of freedom of expression and tolerance,” the spokeswoman said.
“This forms part of a range from David Walliams, the third biggest children’s book author in Australia, and is available throughout a number of major retailers.”
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