Belarus bans Nils children's book over font safety concerns

Belarus has banned the sale of Selma Lagerlöf's children's book The Wonderful Adventures of Nils. The decision comes after the Russian edition failed to meet national safety standards. Authorities have ordered its immediate removal from shelves across the country. The State Standard Committee of Belarus identified technical violations in the book’s layout. The font size measured 4.51 mm, but the space between words was only 1.60 to 2.50 mm. This falls below the required minimum, making the text difficult to read.

Officials stated that the excessively narrow spacing could harm children’s health and development. As a result, the Russian edition was added to Belarus’s registry of hazardous products. Distribution has now been halted, and all existing copies must be withdrawn from circulation.

Retailers received formal notices demanding full compliance with the withdrawal measures. The committee insists that no copies remain available for sale. The ban applies to the Russian edition of the book in Belarus. All retailers must ensure the title is removed from circulation. The decision follows strict safety regulations on readability for children’s publications.