Olivia

Olivia
by Ian Falconer

Olivia
List Price: $17.99
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Book Summary Information

Author: Ian Falconer
Brand: INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2000-10-01
ISBN: 0689829531
Number of pages: 40
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Publisher: Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books
Product features:

Book Reviews of Olivia

Book Review: My 6-year-old niece loves it, and so do I
Summary: 5 Stars

I got this for my niece for her 6th birthday. Before I wrapped it, I read it twice. I liked it so much that I almost included a note saying "please send this back when you're done with it". Just kidding. Sorta.

The reason why we like it so much is because Olivia is a lot like my niece. They both like to play dress up, sing and perform, and are reluctant to take naps. However, I wouldn't doubt that little boys or girls with a different personality might not engage with this book as much.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a present for a spirited little girl, this is a perfect choice.


Summary of Olivia

Have fun with Olivia...

  • dressing up

  • singing songs

  • building sand castles

  • napping (maybe)

  • dancing

  • painting on walls

  • and -- whew! -- going to sleep at last.
    Olivia would be Eloise, if Eloise were a pig. She is good at singing 40 very loud songs and is very good at wearing people out. And scaring the living daylights out of her little brother, Ian, particularly when he copies her every move. She is also quite skilled at reproducing Jackson Pollock's "Autumn Rhythm #30" on the walls at home. When her mother tucks her in at night and says, "You know, you really wear me out. But I love you anyway," Olivia precociously pronounces, "I love you anyway too."

    The New Yorker artist Ian Falconer's endearing charcoal portraits of his porcine heroine are spotted with fire-engine red gouache in all the right places--perhaps a tribute to Hilary Knight's red, pink, white, and black celebrations of Olivia's human counterpart? When she dresses up, the bow on her ears, her red lipstick, and her high-heeled shoes are all red. (The only time her shades-of-gray body is pink is when she is sunburned and the area where her bathing suit was is white!) Falconer does a fine job of letting the spare text set up the jokes for the visual punch lines--a dryly humorous interplay that adults will appreciate as much as children.

    Preschoolers (and their parents) will see themselves in Olivia--a typical high-energy, over-the-top kid who likes the beach and Degas paintings, but hates naps. On the other hand, she combs her ears and is unusually gifted at sandcastle building. While we are certainly reminded of Eloise, Falconer's portrait is simpler in scope, less demented, and, as a result, less adult. Bottom line: precocious is fun, and we're tickled pink to have Olivia join the parade of, let's just say, individualistic youngsters. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson

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