Stick To Your Saucepans, Jamie!

Jamie Oliver has published around two dozen cookbooks. I have borrowed most of them from the library and enjoyed them. But his latest attempt at pen-to-paper has seriously come a cropper. Penguin just published his children's book "Billy and the Epic Escape" - and within hours have withdrawn it from sale. Oops! The problem is that it features an Australian First Nations girl, and there are lots of serious errors [maybe 'cultural bloopers' is a kinder term] which have caused many people to be offended and very upset.  JO is in Oz at the minute, promoting his new cookbook, and is now spending his time apologising profusely [and presumably cancelling promotions for the  children's book]

I'm not defending him. I'd be annoyed if Donna Hay wrote a children's book featuring a girl from Norfolk, full of distorted stereotypes and loaded with incorrect dialect words.[not that she ever would]  It must be infinitely more annoying/distressing/patronising/worse for the indigenous peoples. And I am frustrated that Penguin Books were so careless about their editing procedures. Who read Jamie's manuscript and thought 'hey, this is good!' - his cookbooks go through strenuous vetting to check for errors in recipes, ingredients,method etc. But that doesn't mean his work of fiction is faultless!

I am getting heartily sick of 'celebs' who churn out children's books, to be sold simply on the strength of their name. Who can forget Sarah Ferguson's "Budgie the Helicopter"? Keith Richards "Gus and Me", or Julie Andrews "Mandy" [Oh wait, many of us already have] 

Having had to read David Walliams "Demon Dentist" to my class [and improve the English as I went along-I couldn't bring myself to read some of his sentences aloud] I cannot see why DW was flavour of the year in so many academies. Just because you can act, cook, sing, or be married to a Royal, it doesn't mean you can write!

Furthermore, there are a lot of struggling young authors out there who deserve a chance, a space on the book table at Waterstones this Christmas. If they are good, then their career may take off. And they want to do this for a living,not as a lucrative sideline.

Here are seven contemporary children's authors who have made it. And who have made it their business to encourage children both to read, and to try and write for themselves. These are favourites in my family, and some have been on my list for many years. There are others - but I cannot include them all - feel free to add yours in the comments. And 6 of these are still very much alive and kicking. [age in brackets]

• Michael Morpurgo [81]  A cracking storyteller, and a good man doing so much for under privileged children
• Nick Butterworth [78]  Back in 1970 I met one of his student friends who told me that NB was going to be a great illustrator, and I should look out for his books. I have at least 6 of them!
• Jacqueline Wilson [78] She is great fun, and her characters are believable. She's helped girls to be true to themselves and have confidence.
• Julia Donaldson [76] the A-Z of readable books - from A Squash and A Squeeze, to Zog, by way of the amazing Gruffalo [which Jess appears to know by heart already]
• Mick Inkpen [71] Four million books sold [I love Percy the Park keeper] Like NB above,[and me] he was born in Romford. And his Dad Stan was friends with my Dad [also Stan] in Boys' Brigade in the 1930s!!
• Rob Biddulph [52] The youngest on my current list - but what a great guy. A true encourager of young readers, writers and artists. With practical tips on his website. Peanut Jones a definite heroine [thank you Rosie for introducing me to this author's work] Here's hoping Rob produces great books for many years like the guys above
• Jill Murphy [sadly died in 2022, aged 72] Rosie loves the Worst Witch, I am happy with Five Minutes Peace [in every sense]

Stick to writing recipes, and campaigning for better food, Jamie - these are the things you are good at.