Olivia has won the hearts of school children everywhere. Maybe it’s because Olivia the pig is bold and adventurous and thinks for herself. She has a wild imagination; one moment she dreams that she’s a ballerina, the next she’s a super hero. This picture book hit #1 on the New York Times best seller list, inspiring the author / illustrator, Ian Falconer, to create more adventures for this irresistible, highly energetic hero. In the Olivia books, the illustrations are often funnier than the story itself. Falconer’s simple charcoal drawings created in black and white with splashes of red (Olivia’s favorite color) contain hilarious sight gags that take the humor to another level. When the text says Olivia is good at playing dress up, the picture shows her trying on her clothes – every single one of them. When she’s supposed to be taking a nap, Olivia is dancing around her bedroom in red underwear. Or when her mother shows her how to build a basic sand castle, the next page shows Olivia has built a perfect replica of the Empire State building entirely made out of sand. “Olivia, you really wear me out,” her weary mother often tells her. Whether she’s painting a masterpiece worthy of any museum (on her living room wall) or scaring her little brother, Ian (her little “bother” as she calls him on the Nick Jr. cartoon), Olivia enjoys life to the fullest. Olivia is a fun book for parents to read aloud or older children to read alone.
Can't get enough of Olivia by Ian Falconer? Her other books include:
Olivia Saves the Circus
Olivia...and the Missing Toy
Olivia Forms a Band
Olivia Helps With Christmas
Olivia Goes to Venice
For another children's book that inspired a television show (this one on PBS), try Curious George by H. A. Rey (link below).