Belarus bans The Wonderful Adventures of Nils over readability concerns

Belarus has banned the sale of Selma Lagerlöf's children's book The Wonderful Adventures of Nils. The decision comes after the publication failed to meet national safety standards. Authorities have ordered its immediate removal from shelves across the country. The ban stems from technical issues in the book’s layout. Expert reviews found that the word spacing was too narrow, making it difficult for children to read and causing eye strain. The required spacing should match the font size, but the edition in question had gaps of only 1.60 to 2.50 mm, well below the standard.

The State Standard Committee officially added the book to its registry of hazardous products. Retailers received notices to withdraw all copies from circulation and halt further distribution. Compliance with these measures is now mandatory. The book will no longer be available for purchase in Belarus. Existing stock must be removed from shelves and warehouses. The ban ensures that only publications meeting safety and readability standards remain in circulation.