**Jamie Oliver's Children's Book Withdrawn After Criticism from Indigenous Australians**

In a turn of events, British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's children's book has been pulled from shelves following backlash from Indigenous Australian communities. The book, titled "Billy and the Epic Escape," was released earlier this year but quickly came under fire for its portrayal of Indigenous Australians, which many found offensive.

According to The Guardian newspaper, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation heavily criticized the book for perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Key elements of the fantasy novel, including its depiction of Indigenous Australians' connections to the natural and spiritual worlds, were particularly problematic. One subplot involving an Indigenous girl in foster care was called out for contributing to the "erasure, trivialisation, and stereotyping" of Indigenous experiences.

Responding to the criticism, Oliver stated, "It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue." Both the author and his publisher, Penguin Random House, decided to withdraw the book from sale. The publisher admitted that their standards had "fallen short" and emphasized the importance of learning from their mistakes.

The controversy was further fueled by the revelation that neither Oliver nor his publishers had consulted Indigenous communities before the book's release. This lack of consultation drew significant ire from Indigenous campaigners, reinforcing the perception of a cultural oversight.

Through his social media post, Jamie Oliver acknowledged the importance of clear, accessible text, particularly for dyslexic individuals like himself. Oliver, who gained widespread popularity in 1999 with "The Naked Chef," has since focused much of his efforts on campaigns for better children's nutrition.

Despite the success of his ventures into children's literature, which began with last year’s release of "Billy and the Giant Adventure," Oliver's recent misstep serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusion.