My son has a reading book with the worst title ever.

[Soonish]

How did this get published? He's reading a book called 'Mr Ape'.

It's by Dick King Smith and is about a lonely old codger bloke whose wife and children have left him so he gets hold of loads of animals who keep breeding till his house is uninhabitable.

It's not the subject matter. It's the title. WHO gives a book with a title like that to seven year olds? I literally did a double take when he told me what he was reading on the way home.

I know I should probably ignore the inference and move on but every time ds mentions it it sounds like something rather wrong.

No, I don't read the Fail. I was just surprised by the fact it got through editorial control.

I think you are having a slight over reaction to this.

the worst title ever really ?

It doesn't sound like that when I say it. Possibly it doesn't when the write says is either. Teach DS to enunciate.

I'm not the slightest bit hysterical. We have been laughing about it here.

Doesn't sound like rape in my Scottish RP :-)

Editorial Control??? Get a grip!!!!

Seriously? The fact that it could be misconstrued to Mr. Rape (if prounounced incorrectly) is what has you in a tizzy? Oh my. There is no issue with the book.

Reaction to this thread...

Er nope, not the worst ever title in my book either*

*did you see what I did there? Did you did you?

My friends dd who is now 12 was 5 when she asked her mum how to spell cunt. Friend was obviously shocked and asked for more context. She wanted to know how to spell roderi cunt the writer of the biff, chip and kipper books she was learning at school. (Roderick Hunt)

It doesn't sound like Mr Rape in my Home Counties accent.

I am confused as to why you'd be "laughing about it" if that's what it sounds like in your accent

Oh sod it, I'll go and read it and learn to talk properly

It's probably v good

It's written by a bloke called "dicking", and it's the Mr Ape bit you think is rude?

There are some doozies here. Waaaaaayyyyyy wrse than the OP's one. My fave is Scouts in Bondage

Don't let him read Swallows and Amazons, OP, there are characters called Titty and Roger the ships boy. Famous Five has a Fanny and a Dick

I am confused as to why you'd be "laughing about it" if that's what it sounds like in your accent

I have an 11yo boy too. Enough said.

Get.a.grip.
Then pronounce the title properly , read the book and enjoy it!!

I am gobsmacked about the kind of thing that people get their knickers in a twist about, tell me there's hope.

Yes he picked up on the Dick part too. sigh

There's alway something to be offended about if you look hard enough

The title of the book wouldn't bother me but laughing about Mr Rape with an 11 year old boy sounds really inappropriate.

I agree Lemonade. I've known a few 11 year-olds and laughing at rape is not something I would expect from them.

Good recovery OP

From declaring that the powers that be at the publishers should have vetoed the title; to sniggering about it with your 11 year old son...