Ian Falconer (1959–2023)

I read this because my librarian wife told me there was controversy over it and wondered if I could figure out what that controversy was about. I couldn't. Apparently, people are mad at this cute book about bored, mischievous dogs because A) the dogs don't get punished and B) in some of the drawings you can see a sort of suggestion that the dogs have penises. I thought I'd address both of those issues real quick.

A) If you want to read a picture book about dogs getting punished, there is show more something wrong with you. Put the book down and get therapy.

B) Some dogs have penises. If this bothers you, put the book down and get therapy. (Also, I had to go back through the book and really stare at the dogs' bellies to see even a vague suggestion of a penis. If you are that obsessed with dog genitals and you're not a vet or a dog breeder, again, this might be a topic best brought up in therapy, not a review.)

In short: a cute picture book that reveals some unfortunate things about humans. show less

Irrepressible porcine wonder Olivia returns in this, the sixth picture-book chronicling her madcap adventures. Setting off with her family for a vacation in Venice, Olivia has to be forced to leave her snorkel and flippers behind - the city is sometimes underwater, she tells her mother - enjoys being searched by security at the airport, and sets a frenetic pace once in the city of their destination. From eating lots of gelato to riding a gondola, Olivia and family do lots of typical Venetian show more things. But when selecting a souvenir, our piglet heroine chooses something with rather atypical results...

Although I have greatly enjoyed previous installments of Ian Falconer's Olivia series, in the end I found Olivia Goes to Venice somewhat wanting. It started out promisingly enough, with lots of Olivia humor - I loved the fact that our eponymous heroine enjoyed getting patted down at the airport! - and wonderful illustrations that join Falconer's usual charcoal and gouache artwork with sepia-toned photographs of Venice. The whole thing started to go south for me, however, when Olivia loots a brick from an important monument, leading to its total destruction. I understand that this was meant to be humorous - and, as always, humor is very idiosyncratic - but as a student of antiquity I couldn't help but cringe at the very idea of casually destroying an important artifact, structure, or work of art, simply to gain a souvenir. Sadly, this sort of cultural vandalism has had disastrous results, here in the real world, so the 'humor' of this plot point was a little thin for me. If you can overlook that aspect of the story, or even find it funny, then this will be an Olivia story to enjoy. Otherwise, I say give it a miss. show less

That imaginative and willful little pig Olivia returns in this fourth picture-book chronicling her adventures, this time determined to create her own marching band, when her mother informs her that the fireworks they will be seeing that evening won't have musical accompaniment. When her family members don't prove as enthusiastic as she is at the idea of participating, our porcine heroine decides she will have to do it by herself. After all, as Olivia reminds her mother, she alone can sound show more like five people, so why not form a band...?

Like its predecessors, Olivia Forms a Band is a superb picture-book, one that pairs a pitch-perfect narrative about a feisty and creative young girl with lots of energy and not a lot of restraint, with absolutely hilarious illustrations that are as beautiful as they are entertaining. Ian Falconer is at the top of his form here, adeptly capturing the droll expressions on the faces of Olivia and her family in his charcoal and gouache artwork. A number of photographs - a rock band, a marching band, the Supreme Court! - are worked into the artwork, in the thought bubbles. Highly recommended to anyone who has read and enjoyed other stories about Olivia, as well as to anyone looking for stories about feisty young girls and their imaginary inner worlds. show less

Hyperactive porcine wonder Olivia returns in this third picture-book devoted to her hilarious adventures, following upon the Caldecott Honor-winning Olivia, and the fun follow-up, Olivia Saves the Circus. Here Olivia finds that her favorite toy has gone missing, and in a film-noir setting, she explores the mystery. The solution - the family dog Perry has eaten her beloved plaything - proves rather mundane, but Olivia is capable of making a drama of anything. Fortunately, she's also capable show more of forgiveness...

Like its predecessors, I found Olivia and the Missing Toy absolutely hilarious! Ian Falconer has a real gift for capturing the simultaneously stubborn and sweet quality of his little piglet heroine, as well as the sometimes appalled, but always loving reactions of her very patient mother. The artwork, done in charcoal and gouache, captures all the little humorous details in the story, as well as adding some of its own. I particularly appreciated the use of a darker background, and a strategically placed candelabra, in the 'film noir' mystery sequence. All in all, another winner in this wonderful picture-book series! Recommended to anyone who has read and enjoyed the other Olivia books, or who is looking for children's stories featuring imaginative and somewhat madcap little girls. show less