Peppa Pig’s latest book release Peppa Pig: Peppa Goes to Ireland has offended Irish readers, who say that it isn’t a true representation of their country.
The backlash kicked off after Irish author and father Kevin Power published a tweet on Twitter, criticising the lack of Irish people in the children’s book.
“I read this to my daughter at bedtime. It features no Irish characters, just English characters enjoying themselves in Ireland, thus re-inscribing 800 years of colonialism. Might call Liveline about it tomorrow,” he wrote.
I read this to my daughter at bedtime. It features no Irish characters, just English characters enjoying themselves in Ireland, thus reinscribing 800 years of colonialism. Might call Liveline about it tomorrow pic.twitter.com/E2KDdzpjPm
— Kevin Power (@KevPow3) February 14, 2022
Peppa Pig: Peppa Goes to Ireland is a picture book that sees the famous cartoon character head to the European country an Irish-dancing festival and dubs itself “the perfect introduction to Ireland for little Peppa fans”.
While Power has since said that his tweet was a joke, his comment section has lit up with fellow Irish followers agreeing with the original sentiment.
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“I never do this with books but I put it in the bin IMMEDIATELY after reading it. I would have put it in sooner but the kids spotted it. It is horrendous. Not allowed in this dojo!” Commented one person.
Another added: “Oh my God you can tell this was written by someone with no clue about Irish history.”
After his Tweet blew up, Power took to the social media platform to reassure everyone that his tweet wasn’t written in a serious nature.
“I focus on writing ironic tweets,” he posted before adding: “Wondering at what point I should step in and point out that my Peppa Goes to Ireland tweet is a joke.”
His followers have joined in on the joke, making light of his original tweet.
“It was a good one. I was almost ready to join your rage against Britain. But then I was like, can’t a little British pig visit somewhere and tell the story from her perspective without a geopolitical overlay? Like I said, it was a good one! LOL!’ Said one user.
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