Book Title: Olivia
Author: Ian Falconer
Published: 2000
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Number of Pages: 40
Recommended Age Group: Toddler, Pre-school, Elementary
From Olivia
“This is Olivia. She is good at lots of things. She is very good at wearing people out. She even wears herself out.“
About Olivia
The first of twelve books in the series, Olivia by Ian Falconer is an award-winning picture book all about a little pig with waaaay too much energy. Olivia was published in 2000 and was recognized with the Caldecott Honor the following year as one of the top illustrated children’s books published in the United States.
In Olivia, the reader is immediately introduced to the hyperactive title character, along with her family (including her dog Perry and cat Edwin). Throughout the story, we see Olivia moving from activity to activity, all the while completely exhausting her poor mother who can’t keep up with Olivia’s never-ending energy.
Highlighted by its comedic tone and creative illustrations, Falconer’s Olivia is a great introduction to the children’s book series whose popularity carried it to #1 on the New York Times Best-Seller list. The story was inspired by Falconer’s niece and has been translated in more than 15 different languages.
To learn more about Ian Falconer and the Olivia series, check out his publisher page at https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Ian-Falconer/.
Review of Olivia
Subjects and Themes
A great deal of Olivia‘s popularity comes from parents of young toddlers thanks to its perfect description of life with a young child. Whether it be fighting to get Olivia to nap, or cleaning up her “artwork,” most parents can easily relate to the struggles of trying to contain a child’s energy. The book does a great job of portraying a child’s perspective and way of thinking.
When it comes to funny stories for kids, Olivia is a great option that is ideal for children ages 3 to 8. The dialogue between mother and daughter is incredibly relatable and will surely keep the whole family smiling during story time.
Characters
Author Ian Falconer credits the creation of Olivia to his niece, who served as his inspiration for the book. Since then, Olivia has easily become one of the most popular children’s characters of the 2000’s. Her strong personality, imagination and independent spirit create a fun environment for story time reading with younger audiences.
Additionally, this first book does a great job of introducing readers to the whole family and sets the stage for future editions.
Illustrations
The illustration style in Olivia is what really allows is to stand out from other children’s books. Primarily based in black and white, Ian Falconer does a great job of inserting bold colors to draw attention to specific elements on each page. This style is really helpful with keeping young children engaged throughout the story.
One of the most notable features of Olivia is its use of real artwork. During Olivia’s visit to the museum, we see real life portraits from Jackson Pollock and Edgar Degas. Not only do these paintings aid the flow of the story, but they also provide an introduction of classic art to younger readers.
This is a great book for children because…
The combination of creative illustrations and fun story theme, make Olivia a hit with toddlers, preschool and elementary children. The book’s short sentences make it great for beginner readers, and the use of color throughout help promote a high level of engagement.
If you like Olivia, check out these other works from the series!
Olivia Saves the Circus, 2001
Olivia Forms a Band, 2006
Olivia and the Fairy Princesses, 2012
Olivia the Spy, 2017