A story that has been criticised for using "harmful stereotypes" of a Chinese boy is to be removed from David Walliams' The World's Worst Children by its publishers.
HarperCollins will release a new edition of the popular book without the story Brian Wong, Who Was Never, Ever Wrong with a new character to be included instead.
The change was confirmed after the publishers met with podcaster Georgie Ma who criticised the book for "normalising jokes on minorities from a young age".
The World's Worst Children featured stories about 10 characters including Nigel Nit-Boy, Grubby Gertrude and Bertha the Blubberer.
A statement from HarperCollins said: "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."
Speaking to The Bookseller, Ma explained: "'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."
She added: "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."
Responding to the changes Ma said she was "grateful" to the publishers for "listening and taking action".
Walliams, who rose to fame on TV sketch show Little Britain before becoming a highly successful children's author, has not commented.
