Arrggghhh! Tesco Apologises For Horror Themed Colouring Book Marketed To Five-Year-Olds

Arrggghhh! Tesco Apologises For Horror Themed Colouring Book Marketed To Five-Year-Olds

A grandfather has criticised Tesco after it mistakenly allowed a horror-themed colouring book to be marketed to children as young as five.

The book, called 'Colour Me Good - Arrggghhhh!!', features graphic drawings to colour in taken from famous horror films, including the man with nails in his head from Hellraiser, the woman holding a knife by her face from Misery, and a straitjacketed Anthony Hopkins in The Silence Of The Lambs.

Granddad Chris Tuckwood came across the 16-page book while he was searching for a birthday present for his seven-year-old grandson, Reece.

The colouring book features drawings from 18-rated horror films such as Hellraiser - this is the villain, Pinhead.

The blurb on the back cover says the book contains 'really scary stuff' and 'more blood than you can shake a dagger at'.

Inside, there are line drawings of iconic stills from terrifying 18-rated films aimed at adults, including Fatal Attraction, The Shining, and Carrie and A Clockwork Orange.

Mr Tuckwood, 56, of Derby, who found the book on Tesco's website, said: "It was advertised as being suitable for kids from five to eight - I don't think so.

"It is unbelievable that they can sell such a thing aimed at kids. I don't think I have to say why it's unsuitable, that much is obvious.

"Who on earth are they employing that thinks this is OK?"

The book's creator, Mel Elliott, who runs I Love Mel, said her book was designed for adults rather than children and backed Mr Tuckwood's stance.

"Firstly and most importantly, my products are not aimed at kids," she said.

"They are a contemporary, pop-culture inspired range that are aimed at playful grown-ups.

"I was unaware that Tesco were a stockist as a separate distribution company deal with the wholesale of my products.

"The front cover features a drawing from the horror movie Psycho, in which a woman is stabbed to death in the shower.

"I believe that this one image is a fairly large clue that this is not a book aimed at children.

"However, it does state on Tesco's website that my products are aimed at five to eight year olds, which is an error on their part."

The product has now been removed from Tesco's website, but a spokesman said the product was placed on the company's website by the book's publisher.

He said: "We have very clear guidelines for third-party sellers who list items on our website, and are sorry that on this occasion they weren't followed.

"We will be speaking with the seller to remind them of the importance of selecting the right category when listing products with us.

"Of course when issues do arise we act quickly with the seller to ensure that the item is updated with the correct information."

Zak Edwards, managing director of the book's publishing company, Prezzybox.com, also apologised.

"Here at Prezzybox.com we are very sorry for any offence caused by the Colour Me Good – Horror Films Book, which was mistakenly labelled suitable for children aged 5 and over," he said.

"Clearly, the book is gruesome and for ages of 16+. It features scary scenes from various gruesome horror films. We acknowledge that this book isn't suitable for children.

"Whilst working with a well-known national retailer, we made an error, in which we failed to follow our strict guidelines and clearly label correct and suitable age ranges for all products that are sold through these external retailers.

"We apologise for this mistake and will work hard to ensure this doesn't happen again."

Close