Jamie Oliver is reportedly “devastated” that his controversial kids book has been pulled from shelves.
The TV chef has apologised for Billy and the Epic Escape, which was released earlier this year and was criticised for offending First Nation Australians.Indigenous organisations called for the book’s publisher Random House to pull the title.
Oliver released a statement: “I am devastated to have caused offence and apologise wholeheartedly. I was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue. Together with my publishers, we have decided to withdraw the book from sale.”
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A Penguin Random House spokesperson said: “Our mission at Penguin Random House UK is to make books for everyone and with that commitment comes a deep sense of responsibility. 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 agree with our author Jamie Oliver that we will be withdrawing the book from sale.”
Sharon Davis, chief executive of The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC), branded the book “irresponsible and damaging”. The kids book was also accused of “reflecting a profound lack of understanding and respect,” “erasing, trivialising and stereotyping First Nations people and experiences,” as well as “ignoring the violent oppression of First Nations people”.
Billy and the Epic Escape “raised serious concerns about the cultural safety of First Nations readers, especially young people”. Oliver’s first book, Billy and the Giant Adventure, used a “carefully chosen font to make sure the text is as clear as possible” for people with dyslexia, which the TV chef deals with.
He told BBC: “I sat down for 10 minutes a day - which is as long as I can focus - and wrote it. Over the course of four years, I built 14 chapters and sent it to a publisher.”
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