Belarus bans Nils children's book over 'unsafe' text spacing

Belarus has banned the sale of Selma Lagerlöf’s children’s book The Wonderful Adventures of Nils over safety concerns. The decision comes after officials identified technical violations in its layout. The book’s word spacing was found to be too narrow, raising worries about its impact on young readers. The State Standard Committee determined that the book failed to meet required formatting rules. The standard demands word spacing equal to the font size, which is 4.51 mm. However, the book’s spacing measured between 1.60 and 2.50 mm, falling short of the requirement.

Experts warned that the cramped text could strain children’s eyes and harm their health. As a result, the book was added to Belarus’s registry of hazardous products. Distribution has now been stopped, and all existing copies must be removed from circulation.

The committee has issued formal notices to retailers. These demand the immediate withdrawal of the book from shelves and full adherence to the ban. The book is now classified as unsafe under Belarusian regulations. All copies must be pulled from stores, and further distribution is prohibited. The ruling ensures compliance with standards designed to protect young readers.