From the autumn, leading publishers plan to introduce labelling to the covers of all children’s books indicating whether they’re intended for ages 5+, 7+, 9+, 11+ or 13+/teen. Outraged at the move, Philip Pullman is leading a group of over 80 authors, illustrators, librarians, teachers and booksellers who have joined together in protest. Pullman writes:

I don’t want to see the book itself declaring officially, as if with my approval, that it is for readers of 11 and upwards or whatever. I write books for whoever is interested. When I write a book I don’t have an age group in mind.

Pullman himself will not be subject to this simplistic classification as his publishers (Scholastic) have agreed with his wishes to omit it. Read the telegraph article here.