IIs not not just knowing your market and I'm not sure why people think this is so shocking.
What would be outrageous is if the books for our UK market were censored like this - eg no more 'Three Little Pigs' but commercially thsi kind of thing is done all the time, such as tailoring advertising for different countries.
If kids are only going to be taught such a sanitised and selective version of the "world", why bother with a book at all? In fact, don't look out of the window - it's not important. Everything you need to know, is right here, in this room.
Hardly the way to develop well-rounded and knowledgeable individuals, with a grasp of other cultures, is it?
Not at all, but we are hardly likely to see an Atlas with 'Las Malvinas' in WH Smith any time soon, or a book with a recipe for Roast Horse !
My point is on the commercial side of this - are we really surprised that companies tailor products to their target audience? Does their obligation to shareholders include educating other peoples?
And there is a difference between omitting something like a reference to a pork sausage and omitting the state of Israel from a map.
I'm not saying it is right to change material in this way , I'm just surprised that people are surprised that it's done