The French government has been accused of censorship after cancelling a book order for 800,000 beauty and beasts that should have been freely given to children this summer.
According to Education Minister Elisabeth Bourne, that’s because a new illustrated version of the classic story was determined to have become too adult for the 10 and 11-year-olds reading it.
However, illustrator Julien Berger is known as July – said that the province’s objection was false and that he feared that the book would be pulled because the characters he portrayed were dark.
“The only reason I can think of [for the cancellation] He told the French newspaper Le Monde.
July believes the cancellation is because the characters from the new book have “dark skin in place of the blonde fairy tale princess.”
He added that it “it’s as if it were.” [Donald] Trump and his team were in charge.”
The original beauty and beast was written in the 18th century by French author Jeanne Marie Reprince des Beaumont and speaks of Bell, the daughter of a merchant.
Ultimately – as Disney movie viewers know, Bell falls in love with the Ogre and discovers that he is in fact a prince.
July is known for his loving and grotesque caricatures, but the book was asked to show the story in a modern way, as it is the latest in the annual programme of gifts for French pre-adolescents.
In his illustrations (the text is original), the merchant is a Mediterranean importer of illegal contraband, and Bell’s brother is a teenager roaring on social media.
According to a ministry spokesman cited by Le Figaro, “The illustration addresses themes that are inappropriate for children of that age — alcohol, social media, illegal trade, police checks.
“My father is Algerian and he drinks dangerous imported exports. He even arrested the police. Without an explanation, this would have caused a reaction from his parents.”
Launched seven years ago, the Free Book program aims to encourage children to read at home without supervision from teachers or parents.
According to Borne, “There are a lot of talent in July. He’s ironically good at not taking things at face value. [the book] It is not suitable for age groups. ”
The ministry raised concerns about progress in the work as there were several meetings in July and he did not consider their objections.
Oddly, in the evidence before the book’s final evidence, the minister actually added a preface, celebrating July’s “malicious touches and stomping eyes.”
The book will continue to be published, but there is no ministry fee. This year’s French children will receive a version of Homer’s Odyssey instead.
