Age banding

The practice of indicating suitable ages for goods bought by or for children is rarely the subject of controversy. Apart from the children themselves, who always desire whatever happens to lie in the age bracket above, most adults find such advice helpful in avoiding potentially dangerous or inappropriate items.

But publishers' plans to introduce age ranging guidance onto children's books have met with fierce opposition from authors including Philip Pullman, Anne Fine and Michael Rosen.

The 'No to age banding' Campaign has been set up by writers and other professionals who believe that the proposal to put an age-banding figure on books for children is ill-conceived and damaging to the interests of young readers. The Campaign's statement and supporters are at: http://www.notoagebanding.org/