Jamie Oliver 'devastated' as 'damaging' children's book is pulled from shelves

Jamie Oliver's newest children's book has been pulled from sale, after it was classed 'irresponsible and damaging' by an education body for Indigenous Australians.

The TV chef first turned his hand to writing children's books last year, after being inspired by reading his children bedtime stories, according to the Mirror. His first book Billy and the Giant Adventure was published in April 2023, with a follow-up, Billy and the Great Escape, released in May of this year.

But Oliver and his publisher Penguin Random House have now unreservedly apologised and pulled the book from sale after it came under criticism for its portrayal of Indigenous Australians.

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Chief executive of the National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (Natsiec), Sharon Davies, said the book was "irresponsible and damaging, reflecting a profound lack of understanding and respect".

A subplot in the book sees a First Nations girl who is fostered by an Indigenous community, but its kidnapped by a villain because "First Nations children seem to be more connected with nature".

The adults responsible for her are distracted by the villain's "promise of funding for community projects," the Guardian reported. Davis said this implied that First Nations people were "easily swayed by money and neglect the safety of their children."

“[It] perpetuates a racist stereotype that has been used to justify child removals for over a century,” Davis told the Guardian. "It's not only offensive but also reinforces damaging biases."

The girl in the book also tells the British characters that she's able to communicate with plants and animals, as well as read people's minds. She describes it as the "Indigenous way".

There is also debate about the vocabulary used - the girl is believed to be from Alice Springs, but uses language from New South Wales and Queensland.

Oliver and his publisher conceded to Guardian Australia conceded that no consultation with any Indigenous person or organisation took place before the book was published.

He has issued an apology while on a tour of Australia to promote his latest cookbook. “I am devastated to have caused offence and apologise wholeheartedly,” Oliver said in a statement.

“It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue. Together with my publishers we have decided to withdraw the book from sale.”

The publisher also released a statement. "Our mission at Penguin Random House UK is to make books for everyone and with that commitment comes a deep sense of responsibility," they said.

“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.”

It is not the first time Oliver has faced accusations of cultural appropriation. Back in 2018, he released a microwaveable product labelled "punchy jerk rice", which came under fire as it did not contain any of the ingredients traditionally used in a Jamaican jerk marinade.

In 2022, CNN reported that the chef had hired "cultural appropriation specialists" to vet his recipes.