Jamie Oliver’s Children’s Book Withdrawn Amid Controversy
Many British millennials harbor lingering resentment towards Jamie Oliver for his fervent campaign against junk food in school canteens. Now, the renowned celebrity chef finds himself embroiled in a different kind of controversy. His recent children’s book has been pulled from publication following significant backlash regarding its portrayal of Indigenous Australians.
According to a report by The Guardian on November 9, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation criticized Oliver’s “Billy and the Epic Escape,” which debuted earlier this year. The organization condemned the book for relying heavily on stereotypes and tropes that misrepresent Indigenous cultures, particularly concerning their connections to nature and spirituality.
One of the primary points of contention was a subplot that involved an Indigenous girl in foster care. Critics argued that this narrative choice perpetuates harmful stereotypes and contributes to the ongoing “erasure, trivialisation, and misrepresentation of First Nations peoples and their lived experiences.”
In light of the criticism, Oliver, aged 49, expressed his profound regret, stating that he was “devastated” to have caused any offense. He offered a “wholehearted” apology, clarifying, “It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue.” Following this, he announced that, in collaboration with his publishers, they had decided to withdraw the book from sale.
The book is being removed from shelves by Penguin Random House, the publisher. Indigenous advocates were particularly outraged by the fact that neither Oliver nor his publisher consulted with Indigenous communities before releasing the book. In a statement, the publisher acknowledged, “It is clear that our publishing standards fell short on this occasion, and we must learn from that and take decisive action. With that in mind, we have agreed with our author, Jamie Oliver, that we will be withdrawing the book from sale.”
Oliver, who is currently in Australia promoting his latest recipe book, is part of a growing trend of celebrities venturing into children’s literature. This phenomenon has sparked criticism from many established children’s authors, who feel that they are being sidelined in a market increasingly dominated by celebrity figures. Oliver’s foray into this realm began with his first children’s book, “Billy and the Giant Adventure,” released the previous year.
Rising to fame in 1999 with his innovative cookbook and popular television show “The Naked Chef,” Oliver has been a long-standing advocate for improving children’s nutrition. His outspoken criticism of unhealthy school meals in the UK in 2005 ignited a national debate, with his campaign against Turkey Twizzlers—a particularly processed meat product that had become a canteen staple—causing considerable uproar.
