Olivia

Author & Illustrator:   Ian Falconer
Publisher:  Atheneum
Publication Year:   2000
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee

Awards:   Caldecott honor, Parent's Choice, ALA Notable, Publisher's Weekly Best Books, Kirkus starred review

Summary:  Olivia is a pig like no other- she is very good at wearing people out. The story follows Olivia and her family through a typical day at the beach, art museum (where Falconer includes reproductions of actual art pieces from Degas & Pollock), and home. The amazing illustrations bring Olivia and her sass to life, as she picks out clothes (from 17 pictured choices), imagines herself as a ballerina, and imitates Pollock on her bedroom wall (Time Out). The simple black, white, and always red color scheme makes Olivia pop off the page, and readers will quickly see themselves in her personality and spunk.

Classroom Ideas: Olivia would make for an excellent character study for younger children. It also could introduce Degas and Pollock for an art teacher.