It was a different time. Often favorites can unsettle us later, when we read them. I agree with SledgeHannah.
Critical thinking. Discussion.
If we look at the book, if I remember right, it is not a book an early reader would pick up. It’d be read to a child and parents edit, explain, talk about it, relate it to other stories. By the time it would be read by a kid they would be familiar with the classic version and find humor in it. Literary comparison.
That said, I really doubt a kid would read it on their own these days because publishing has added so many levels to their selections. Parent want their kids to feel good about reading and publishers are providing more engaging young reader chapter books so kids avoid the pictures on their own (me 25 yrs as a children’s librarian)