Have you read them?

"Where's Waldo?" was banned? 12 surprisingly controversial titles

Image: Zoshua Colah

When you think of banned books, you might imagine something edgy, problematic, or revolutionary. But what if we told you that Where’s Waldo?, Charlotte’s Web, and even Little Red Riding Hood have faced censorship? We've collected some stories about the most innocent-looking titles being banned or challenged. Do you think you can guess why they were?

Image: Chelsey Marques

How could a well-known fairy tale like Little Red Riding Hood be banned? It came down to one added detail: an illustration.

The edition illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, published in 1983, was deemed inappropriate for children due to a seemingly minor element—Little Red Riding Hood was shown carrying a bottle of wine for her grandmother.

Image: BBiDDac

Martin Handford’s interactive book series—where readers had to find Waldo (or Wally) hidden within highly detailed scenes—became a worldwide sensation in the 1980s. However, one controversial illustration landed one of the books on a banned list in the US for 10 years.

Here’s why: one of the scenes, set on a beach, portrayed a small drawing of a lady showing a bit too much skin. That edition had to be revised and reapproved before it was allowed back in US schools and libraries.

Image: kiyu_01

Roald Dahl’s fantasy novel about a young boy embarking on a surreal journey inside a gigantic peach was published in the 1960s and became a beloved classic.

However, in 1986, a school district in Wisconsin temporarily banned the book after objections from a religious group. The main complaint was a poem in which a spider was described as "licking her lips"—a phrase they claimed was sexually suggestive, despite the fact that spiders don’t even have lips.

Image: cottonbro studio

Another beloved classic from the 1960s, Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy was groundbreaking for its portrayal of a flawed, curious, and fiercely independent young female protagonist.

Harriet broke the mold of the tidy moral lessons found in earlier children’s literature—a shift that, of course, some parents disliked. Over the decades, especially in the 1980s and 1990s, the book was challenged in various school districts for allegedly promoting rudeness, lying, and disobedience.

Image: michael podger

First published in 1952, Charlotte’s Web is a touching and philosophical children’s book. It tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his unlikely friendship with a wise spider, Charlotte, who saves him from slaughter using messages woven into her web.

Still, this beloved classic was banned in parts of Kansas in 2006 for a surprisingly structural reason: religious objections to animals talking. In another instance, the book was challenged for mentioning death and for its supposedly "morbid" tone.

Image: Taylor Heery

In the story, the Lorax speaks for the trees, warning against the destruction of nature at the hands of greedy industry. But this environmental message didn’t sit well with everyone.

In 1989, a school district in Laytonville, California, removed The Lorax from its reading list after local logging companies and some parents complained. They argued that the book portrayed the forestry industry in an unfairly negative light—potentially turning children against the economic backbone of their region.

Image: Hilmi Işılak

Anne Frank’s diary has undoubtedly moved generations. First published in 1952, it has been translated into more than 70 languages.

And yet, the unabridged edition of this profound document has faced challenges. In 2010, for example, a school in Culpeper County, Virginia, removed it from its curriculum after a parent objected to references to Anne’s exploration of her body and her emerging sexuality.

Image: Joshua Woroniecki

Even L. Frank Baum’s beloved fantasy novel has faced censorship. In the 1950s and ’60s, several libraries—including some in Florida and Chicago—banned the book.

Critics argued that it was "ungodly" due to its inclusion of witches and magic. Some claimed the story promoted "negativism" and "theosophy," while others objected to Dorothy’s strong-willed nature, which they believed encouraged young girls to think for themselves and solve problems without the help of men.

Image: Max Gotts

Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are was banned by many libraries and schools when it was first released. This tale of a child’s fantastical escape into a land of wild creatures was considered too dark and scary by some psychologists and parents.

Others objected to Max’s behavior—particularly a scene in which he yells at his mother and is sent to bed without dinner.

Image: Jan Huber

Shel Silverstein’s picture book tells the story of a boy and a tree. Over the years, the tree gives everything to the boy—its apples, branches, and trunk—until nothing is left. Readers have debated for decades whether it is a fable of unconditional love or a cautionary tale of exploitation.

This debate has led to censorship in some circles. The book has been banned or challenged for allegedly promoting selfishness on the part of the boy and self-sacrifice to the point of self-destruction on the part of the tree.

Image: Ellen Kerbey

This 1960s picture book tells the story of a young donkey named Sylvester who finds a magic pebble that grants wishes. One day, in a panic, he wishes to become a rock to escape danger—and becomes trapped in that form for months.

However, in the 1970s, the book was banned in several US schools and libraries, including some in Illinois and California, mainly because police in the story were depicted as pigs. Some law enforcement groups protested, claiming the imagery was anti-police.

Image: Nataliya Vaitkevich

Another title by Dr. Seuss made the list! It may sound unbelievable, but Green Eggs and Ham was banned in China for about 30 years due to political concerns.

The ban claimed that the book contained "early Marxist ideas" and could be interpreted as promoting rebellion against authority. The notion that someone persistently tries something unconventional and ends up liking it was seen by censors as a subversive message.

What science says

It was false after all: 10 health myths that sound true—but aren't

Image: Alicja Gancarz

Health myths are everywhere! These ideas were simply passed down for so long that they became part of what we believed. But now science has stepped in to clear things up. Does cold weather make you sick? Can lemon detox your body? Is reading in low light really harmful? Let's uncover the truth behind 10 common health myths!

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Have you ever been told that cutting your hair will make it grow faster? We're sorry to say that's just a myth. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. So, trimming it won't boost growth, though it does help remove split ends that can make your hair look dry or unhealthy.

Image: Thom Holmes

This is one of the most common health myths. Cold weather often gets blamed, but it's not the temperature that makes you catch a cold. During winter, we tend to stay indoors with others and keep the windows closed, an environment that makes it easier for viruses to spread. That's why colds tend to be more common in winter!

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The idea that eating before bed automatically leads to weight gain is a myth. In reality, it has more to do with what you eat and how much, rather than the time of day. Often, when we eat very late at night, we're tired and more likely to reach for quick, high-calorie, heavy foods. This can disrupt sleep and lead to consuming more calories than we burn, both of which may affect weight. If it's close to bedtime, it's better to have something light and healthy in a moderate portion than to skip a meal altogether.

Image: Bud Helisson

Does wearing glasses weaken your vision? Myth! If an eye doctor prescribes glasses, wearing them as directed helps correct your vision; it won't make it worse. Additionally, the right glasses can help prevent or reduce headaches caused by reading or spending long hours in front of a screen.

Image: Amir Balam

This myth is closely related to the previous one. If you love reading and sometimes have to do it in low light because of the situation, don't worry. According to experts, reading in low light doesn't cause permanent or irreversible eye damage. However, it's not recommended because it can make your eyes feel tired or strained, leading to discomfort or headaches.

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We're all different, and so are our bodies. The idea that everyone should drink exactly eight glasses of water a day is more of a general guideline than a rule. Staying well hydrated throughout the day is extremely important, but how much water you need depends on factors like your weight, age, climate, and overall health. We should prioritize staying consistently hydrated instead of obsessing over the number of glasses we drink.

Image: Tirza van Dijk

Some people say drinking lemon water helps eliminate toxins and cleanse the body. While adding a slice of lemon to your water is a refreshing way to stay hydrated, it doesn't have any special "detoxifying" powers. The vitamin C in citrus fruits is beneficial, but the body has its own natural detox system. The liver and kidneys are the main organs that filter waste and eliminate toxins.

Image: Aneta Voborilova

Not all fats are bad! Just like other food groups, your body needs fats to function properly. The important thing is knowing the difference between healthy fats and those that can be harmful. Foods like avocados, seeds, olive oil, fish, and nuts are rich in healthy fats. On the other hand, the fats found in processed or fried foods are the ones that can have a negative impact on your body.

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Liver diseases can be serious. While heavy and frequent consumption of alcohol and fats is a major contributor, it's not the only cause. Liver problems can also result from many other factors. These include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, high blood pressure, and exposure to certain chemicals.

Image: Brooke Lark

There's some truth to it: breakfast is important because it replenishes our glucose and energy levels and supports proper metabolism. However, the idea that it's the most important meal of the day might be an exaggeration. Everyone's body has different needs, and all meals are important, so we shouldn't skip any of them!