The French Ministry of Education has canceled an order for a updated illustrated edition of "Beauty and the Beast" meant for 10-year-olds due to concerns over its suitability.

As part of its yearly "A Book for the Holidays" initiative, where 800,000 students get an updated version of a timeless literary work to enjoy during the summertime, the government requested a fresh adaptation of the well-known fairy tale.

This year, the responsibility was taken up by cartoonist Jul, renowned for his animated television show "Silex and the City" and for being the most recent author of the "Lucky Luke" comic series.

The book was prepared for its initial printing and featured an energetic foreword penned by Education Minister Élisabeth Borne.

"In this edition tailored exclusively for you, you will uncover Jul's playful approach and keen insight, adding a contemporary twist to this story," she penned for the students.

Nevertheless, the ministry retreated in a letter addressed to the author on Monday.

“The finished book is not suitable for independent reading, at home, with the family and without the guidance of teachers, for pupils aged 10 to 11” and “could raise a number of questions among students that would not necessarily be answered appropriately,” the letter stated.

The ministry particularly focused on references to social media and alcohol within the narrative. According to Jul's interpretation of the 1796 story, the king—who is the father of the princess—is depicted holding a bottle. Clearly intoxicated, he performs "Les Lacs du Connemara," a well-known song by Michel Sardou.

"Jul possesses considerable talent. He effectively employs sarcasm and humor. However, unguided, I believe it wouldn’t be suitable" for kids aged ten, responded Borne on CNEWS.

Jul denounced a “censorship” Based on "false pretenses." The actual problem, according to him, is different. According to his interpretation, Beauty possesses dark skin and curly black hair. Her ancestry traces back to Algeria, and the narrative delves into issues related to migration and assimilation.

The author stated, "The sole explanation appears to be the revulsion at witnessing a realm of princes and princesses who bear a closer resemblance to the world of contemporary schoolchildren."

"Is the 'major substitution' of fair-haired princesses with younger Southern European girls potentially the boundary that the ministry's administration in Versailles should avoid crossing?" he questioned, alluding to the far-right conspiracy theory that has become more prominent in France following the 2022 presidential election campaign.

It has become improbable for the 800,000 students to get their books this summer due to this belated development.

Introduced in 2017, the program "A book for the holidays" has historically offered students revised editions of La Fontaine’s "Fables," Homer’s "The Odyssey," and Jean Giono’s "The Man Who Planted Trees."