Olivia

That hyperactive porcine wonder, Olivia, a pig with a strong (and winsome!) personality, debuted here, in this first picture-book devoted to her many adventures. Always on the go, always trying new things and imitating what she sees, Olivia wears everyone out, including herself! Whether imagining herself as one of Degas' ballerinas, after a visit to the museum, or attempting a Jackson Pollock style painting on her bedroom wall - much to the horror of her mother! - Olivia is a pig who likes to experiment...

Chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book in 2001, Olivia launched a picture-book legend, one who has continued to be immensely popular since, and who now has a television show dedicated to her adventures. For my part, I absolutely love this show more book, and have since it was first published. The artwork is gorgeous, and well worthy of the Caldecott nod it won Ian Falconer. The scenes in which Olivia imagines herself as a ballerina, or attempts painting, are beautifully done, and immensely humorous. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books featuring feisty girl characters with lots of imagination and sparkle! show less

This originally appeared in Grandpappy's Corner at The Irresponsible Reader. If you like this post, you might like others on that site. Consider checking it out!.
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So here's the thing you need to know about Olivia--you know that feeling when all you, as an adult, want is for a toddler to go to sleep so you can collapse and veg out for a bit (or maybe sleep yourself); and all the toddler wants to do is not settle down for the night? So you say, "Okay, you can pick X books, and then we'll go to sleep." You do not want this book anywhere the kid can find it. Leave it on another floor from their bedroom. Put it on top of something tall where they can't see it. Because kids who are focused on not going to sleep are tricky and wily. This show more book is full of ways that those tricksters can exploit to push away lights-out.

Incidentally, a worn-out parent is something that Olivia's mother can empathize with, and I'd think she'd understand hiding it.

Now, all that means is that Olivia has a lot of really good points to it. A lot of things to grab the attention of a young reader, a lot of things for their imaginations to jump off from and engage with.

This is a look at a six-year old girl (pig) named Olivia and all the ways she fills her days. And she is active--trying on clothes, dancing, painting, making a mess, building very impressive sand castles, and more.

The art is great--it's simple, rarely detailed with backgrounds and objects--typically it's just a black and white drawing of Olivia and a family member or two--with a splash of red to really grab your attention.The drawings that are more elaborate--full or two-page spreads, full of background, detail, and objects--are just stunning. On some you will get up to nine different drawings of Olivia--that will inevitably bring up, "What is she doing there?" and "What about there?" or "And what do you think she's doing there?", etc. etc. See my caveat in the opening paragraph.

This won some big awards and has spawned a bunch of sequels. I can see why both would be the case. It's a sweet read, with some very fun art. Pretty much all you want in a picture book. show less

Olivia is a charming and funny story, with great illustrations, and an even better main character. Olivia became a classic child's character the moment she was published. She is a clever and creative pig, whose imagination is unbounded. Her family is wonderful, too, with a deeply understanding mom, and a troublesome but also frequently troubled younger brother, Ian. (We actually don't learn much about her dad in this book.) They also have Perry the dog and Edwin the cat . The pictures are predominantly in black and white, and the only other color the author (and illustrator) uses is red, which stands out by contrast. Olivia's dress and other clothes are red, as are a few key features that draw our eyes, such as the ball on the beach or show more Olivia's illustrations on the wall.

This, her debut book, introduces us to Olivia's - adorable - quirks. How she tries on everything she owns before settling on one outfit for the day. Her love of the beach, and how she must come prepared (the picture for that is hilarious). The fact that she is very good at wearing people out - even herself. Her little daily rituals, and the way her imagination transforms a sand castle into a might skyscraper, or a Degas painting into a personal ballet recital. Her interest in recreating fine art at home - perhaps by painting an imitation Pollock on the wall. I particularly like the way she bargains her mom into reading more than one book at bedtime.

This is a book I love. The story and pictures are perfectly integrated, and the characters have an essential quality that makes children's stories great. They are unforgettable, have childish charm and imagination, and are original. Olivia is one of my favorite characters. She is a sassy and independent girl who is lovable and creative. She is so great! Also, the way Falconer writes is perfect for a picture book. The text is simple but evocative. You can feel a tongue-in-cheek humor riding in the lines, and he doesn't feel the need to explain everything in words, but has the pictures and the text interacting together to create a powerful effect. We own this as a board book, but I will have to buy it in picture book format, because the illustrations are worth it. I can't recommend this book enough; it's an example of how great a picture book can be. show less

A fun book about an energetic and imaginative pig named Olivia. We follow her on her adventures and watch as she pushes her mom's boundaries. I love the black and white illustrations with pops of red and some other colors.

I love the illustrations, which are what make this title stand out. The color palette is largely limited to red, black, white, and shades of grey; the scenery is sparse; Olivia's pig-body is drawn with a nod to its inherent awkwardness (no neck makes some of her outfits look funny/bizarre). Very charming, very minimal and quite altogether lovely.

The story is cute, too, however, but, again, very simple. There's not much plot - Olivia is a pig who may be moderately hyperactive, lol, and likes to play dress-up. She goes to the beach, goes to museums, and goes to bed. My favorite lines are at the end when Olivia's mother is reading her a story at bedtime: "Olivia's mother gives her a kiss and says, 'You know, you really wear me out. But I show more love you anyway.' And Olivia gives her a kiss back and says, 'I love you anyway too.'" Really subtle, apt, and clever! show less

Ian Falconer's Olivia is the pig protagonist for children to recognize themselves in. Falconer’s spare but humorous prose with illustrations to match introduces Olivia, child pig, who is “good at a lots of things” especially “wearing people out.” Olivia’s antics at home, the beach, and in the museum will amuse kids and parents alike, and his striking charcoal and gouache illustrations provide allusions that only the adults will recognize. Olivia is a truly urbane picture book that will be appreciated by more than the mere progeny of New Yorker subscribers.

Sure to be a classic of picture storybooks, Olivia is the character of our times. She is a headstrong, vibrant young pig who makes do with her mundane family surroundings. Though the work of her creator Ian Falconer we come to appreciate her wry outlook on life.

This is a book that amuses many different audiences. Little people will identify with Olivia’s outlook on life, and every time I read this book there are a few giggles. Parents will appreciate the way Olivia’s point of view is presented, especially if they have ever had to deal with an opinionated child (as some of us do daily).