James and the Giant Perve?

I was reading the Roald Dahl classic aloud to my little one today when I heard myself describing the scene where James meets the mysterious little man who gives him what turns out to be the seed that grows the giant peach.

As I was reading it, it dawned on me how creepy the scenario sounded: James, a sad little 10 year old boy is sitting in alone in some bushes when a weird looking old man appears from nowhere.

In the bushes, remember.

As if that wasn't enough, he then invites James to "Come closer to me, little boy... come right up close to me and I will show you something wonderful."

Is it just me or is every parent in the world screaming inside their head at James to run! Run away!

Don't go anywhere near this disgusting weirdo in the bushes who's wanting you to get close to him so he can show you something you've never seen before?

That my first thought when reading this was the man was a weirdo pervert rather than a good natured old fellow with harmless magical fruit may be a disturbing indictment of society but I wonder, if submitted for publication today, would editors re-write this part of the story? I mean, doesn't it teach kids that yes, it's ok to approach a strange weirdo and accept whatever surprises they have hiding in their coat?