Olivia by Ian Falconer Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Olivia
Book Review: Banal
Summary: 1 Stars
My daughter received this book as a gift. I would never have purchased it myself. I think that it is entirely banal, not cute at all and lacking in true imagination. Yes, toddlers do have big egos, and sometimes this makes their actions laughable. But there is something about Olivia that I find unsettling. She seems very much alone, too much alone. As if her parents are just standing on the sidelines, watching her. As if she lives in a household where children are "seen and not heard."
There is so much more to toddlerhood than egotism. But one cannot appreciate the true beauty and imagination of childhood if one cannot slow down a little bit,let go of one's own ego, and try to see through the eyes of one's child. I do not think that this book helps adults to do that.
I appreciate children's books that are about absolutely nothing: ie. The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson. Many adults these days may find this kind of book to be silly and artless, but, in my point of view, it is much more appropriate for toddler aged children and is the kind of book that will encourage the development of a child's true imagination.
Book Review: Big deal
Summary: 3 Stars
I don't see what the big deal about this book is. I found it to be a highly contrived story of a little girl who gets into a little bit of mischief. The girl, of course, takes on the appearance of a pig. The drawings are cute, and in my opinion served to show elementary kids that they can draw as well as a professional illustrator.The story line was lacking and the organization of the text on the page could be confusing at times. Still, I found it to be cute enough that children would enjoy it as a read-aloud, but I still can't understand why it has achieved so much notoriety.
Why 3 stars?:
While it is a cute book, the story isn't very engaging. The illustrations are simple (which I like) and do not distract from the story, though they don't add a great amount either. I haven't found it to be greatly received by schoolchildren when I have read it and seen it used in classrooms. Unless you are a serious children's book collector - I would pass this one up - the hype is bigger than the type.
Book Review: Brianna The Transformer
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is truly an amazing work of art and masterpiece in its own light. Olivia is the greatest, happiest, and most enthusiatic "Pig", I've ever seen. Her basic features promote such love, joy, fun, and laughter, until it's easy to see her simplest and most basic characteristics including: curiosity, youthfulness, inquisitiveness in the arts, giftness in how she approaches things, and lack of effort to be funny, and filled with innocence, virtue and life!I love "Olivia". She is my favorite "Gal"!
Go Girl!
Book Review: Charming
Summary: 5 Stars
What the book, Olivia, may arguably lack in plot, it makes up for in charm. Olivia is an energetic, precocious, and adorable little pig. Ian Falconer's illustrations will remind all of us of an Olivia in our lives.Book Review: Classic toddler
Summary: 5 Stars
The fact that Olivia is a pig doesn't hide that she is a classic toddler. So full of energy and curiosity. She just loves the world and the things to see in it. My daughter loves her piggy book. Her name is Olivia, too. We have a kitty and love the part where Olivia moves the cat. This is a fun little book with cute pictures.