I feel like I have to go to a bookstore and look for myself, to make sure this isn't some bizarre hoax:
From goodnightreality.com:
Below are two photographs of Clement Hurd, the illustrator of Goodnight Moon . The image on the left is the original photograph that has adorned the back of the trade hardcover edition of Goodnight Moon for over 50 years. The image on the right is the new, altered version of the photograph, in which the cigarette that once resided in Clement Hurd's hand has been digitally removed by the publisher.
HarperCollins, you are LAME. Lame lame lame lame lame.
This smacks of fake, but I emailed HC anyway angrily. Do you think one single kid in the history of the world has ever become a smoker because of Clement Hurd?
Posted by: lauren | 08 November 2005 at 02:59 PM
Oh, you know what? I just realized that I know someone who works there. I'll email her and ask if it's for real.
Posted by: leila | 08 November 2005 at 03:35 PM
I was a bit skeptical, but I voted "smoke" and was shocked to see that 52% of voters favored the altered photo. 48% liked the original. ?? If you want to get rid of the cigarette, use a different photo! It looks fairly stupid for him to have his hand like that if there's no cigarette.
Posted by: jess | 09 November 2005 at 01:36 PM