Jamie Oliver takes his children’s book off the market

Jamie Oliver, known for his cooking and books, is facing accusations. His children’s book “Billy and the Epic Escape” is controversial.

Jamie Oliver is a British celebrity chef who rose to fame on the TV show “The Naked Chef”. He is not only known as a TV chef, but also as a committed advocate of healthy eating. His promotion of safe, healthy eating habits has earned him worldwide recognition. But Oliver has also made a name for himself as an author of cookery and children’s books.

His literary successes include numerous cookbooks that sell well internationally. Recently, however, he came under fire for his children’s book “Billy and the Epic Escape.” The book was withdrawn from sale amid allegations it promoted stereotypes about Indigenous Australians. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC) criticized the book for trivializing the complex history of Aboriginal people.

Stay up to date on book tips and streaming news with the 24books.de newsletter

“Billy and the Epic Escape” controversy

Indigenous representatives condemned the book as offensive and harmful. Publisher Penguin Random House and Jamie Oliver apologized and took responsibility for the misjudgment. The book is being removed from shelves worldwide. “I am shocked that I have caused offense and apologize from the bottom of my heart,” Oliver said in a statement, reported Spiegel.de.

Points of criticism included the use of stereotypes and the incorrect use of indigenous terms, such as T Online reported. Particularly controversial was an episode in which a young girl is kidnapped from an indigenous foster family. This depiction is reminiscent of the painful history of the “Stolen Generations,” in which Indigenous children were systematically removed from their families.

Collaboration with indigenous advisors required

Sharon Davis, executive director of NATSIEC, particularly criticized the chapter “To Steal a Child,” which perpetuates racist stereotypes. Oliver and the publisher admitted there had been no consultation with Indigenous organizations before publication. These incidents underscore the importance of sensible and informed representations of cultural issues in literature.