Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver pulls children’s book from sale over backlash about Indigenous plotline
Jamie Oliver has pulled his second children’s book, Billy and the Epic Escape, from sale following condemnation over its Indigenous plotline.
The British chef, 49, sparked backlash when his book saw the villain abduct a young Aboriginal girl from foster care in a story which First Nations communities deemed ‘damaging’ and ‘disrespectful’.
Now Oliver and publisher Penguin Random House UK have pulled the book from the shelves, following its release in May, after issuing an official apology, reported The Guardian on Sunday.
The report comes just a day after Oliver issued an apology for allegedly ‘stereotyping’ Indigenous Australians in his second children’s book.
The celebrity chef is currently in Australia promoting his latest cookbook, Simply Jamie, but it is another of his tomes that has been causing a stir in the country.
His children’s book, Billy And The Epic Escape, came under fire from The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC).
The education body called for the book, a 400-page fantasy novel for primary school children, to be removed from circulation.
The NATSIEC have slammed the release as ‘damaging and disrespectful’ and claimed it contributes to the stereotyping of First Nations Australians.
Jamie Oliver, 49, (pictured) has pulled his second children’s book, Billy and the Epic Escape, from sale following condemnation over its Indigenous plotline
Oliver and publisher Penguin Random House UK issued apologies, admitting no consultation with Indigenous Australians took place before publication.
‘I am devastated to hear I have caused offence and wholly apologise for doing so,’ Oliver told The Guardian in a statement.
‘I am listening and reflecting and working closely with my publisher on next steps.’
Meanwhile, Penguin Random House admitted the lack of consultation with Indigenous Australians was an ‘editorial oversight’.
The British chef sparked backlash when his book (pictured) saw the villain abduct a young Aboriginal girl from foster care in a story which First Nations communities deemed ‘damaging’ and ‘disrespectful
NATSEIC’s chief executive Sharon Davis claimed the book ‘perpetuated harmful stereotypes’ and that its depiction of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders was ‘irresponsible’.
‘We urge Penguin Books and Jamie Oliver to recognise the impact of their content and take swift action to prevent further harm,’ she told The Guardian.
‘Penguin Books should pull Billy and the Epic Escape from circulation, specifically removing all content involving First Nations characters and cultural references.’
The book is Oliver’s 2024 follow-up to his 2023 children’s book debut Billy and the Giant Adventure.
Now Oliver and publisher Penguin Random House UK have pulled the book from the shelves, following its release in May, after issuing an official apology, reported The Guardian on Sunday
It features a subplot of a young First Nations girl who is living in foster care before being stolen by the book’s antagonist from her Indigenous community near Alice Springs.
Oliver is currently in Australia to present a live chat about his new book Simply Jamie at Sydney’s Coliseum dubbed Jamie Oliver: The Joy of Cooking.
Oliver first rose to fame on The Naked Chef cooking show, which ran from 1999 to 2001.
His television and publishing career has seen him sell more than 46million books globally, and reach an estimated worldwide TV audience of 67million.
