In a decision that has stirred debate over censorship and the suitability of modern literature for children, the French Ministry of Education has cancelled cartoonist Jul’s reimagined version of the beloved classic "La Belle et la Bête" (Beauty and the Beast). This cancellation came just days after the book was selected for the annual "Un livre pour les vacances" initiative, which provides CM2 students (ages 10-11) access to a revised classic of French literature for their summer reading.
Elisabeth Borne, Minister of National Education, stated during a press briefing on March 20, 2025, that while Jul possesses considerable talent, his version of the fairy tale is "not suitable" for young readers without the aid of pedagogical support. She emphasized that the illustrations within the book tackle themes such as alcohol, social networks, and complex social realities, which she believes require a more mature audience to understand. "Without educational context, I think it’s not appropriate. It’s a beautiful book that can be utilized in a different setting,” Borne remarked.
In response, Jul, known for his work on popular comics like "Silex and the City" and "Lucky Luke", decried the decision as a political act of censorship. He described the cancellation as a shocking affront to artistic freedom, stating that it marked one of the most significant instances of censorship in the history of French publishing. Jul expressed his disbelief that the Ministry would reject a contemporary adaptation that mirrors elements of today’s world, arguing that the only conceivable reason for the cancellation lies in a reluctance to depict a version of fairy tale characters that reflect modernity.
The abrupt reversal appeared in a letter from Caroline Pascal, the director general of school education, sent to Jul on March 17, 2025. It outlined reasons for the cancellation, asserting that themes depicted in the illustrations, particularly those involving alcohol consumption and references to social issues, would be more suitable for students in higher grades, such as middle or high school. The letter specifically notes that Jul’s portrayal of Belle’s father, who is seen drinking and singing while intoxicated, could raise numerous questions among ten-year-old readers without adequate guidance.
Jul's adaptation portrays a contemporary version of the classic tale with a setting that includes a father arriving from Algeria who engages in fraud and faces police scrutiny, scenarios that blur the lines between classic storytelling and current societal issues. Borne highlighted that while it might have a suitable backdrop for discussion within an educational context, it is still a book intended to be read at home during vacation, preferably with family.
The public reaction has been mixed, with supporters of Jul rallying against what they perceive as an unjust suppression of creativity and artistic expression. Some critics argue that the Ministry’s concerns are mere pretexts to maintain traditional narratives and to eschew modern interpretations that diverge from the established portrayals of fairy tale characters.
Jul criticized the decision further, posing a rhetorical question about whether the replacement of blonde princesses with girls of Mediterranean descent constituted a limit too far for the Ministry’s conservative administration. His remarks hint at a larger societal debate regarding representation and the cultural significances behind storytelling for new generations.
"The book was set to challenge traditional norms while making classic literature accessible in a fresh context, and now we see a disturbing trend of censorship emerging,” Jul remarked during an interview with BFMTV, expressing his outrage not just over the cancellation but also over the implications regarding the educational content that children are allowed to access.
Following Jul’s comments, Borne reiterated that the funds intended for the book had not been utilized and that the printing process had not begun. Despite the setback, she maintained that the book had its merits and could be valuable educational material under different circumstances. The Ministry is now looking into substituting Jul's adaptation with a version of "L'Odyssée" (The Odyssey).
As the fallout from the cancellation unfolds, questions regarding freedom of expression in children’s literature persist. Critics warn that similar moves could stifle creativity in future educational resources and set a precedent that might curtail the evolution of literary adaptations aimed at younger audiences. Whether Jul’s response might advocate for change in how such adaptations are approached in the educational framework remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this controversy has ignited a passionate conversation about the nature of censorship, artistic freedom, and how stories are told to future generations.
