No matter what anyone tries to claim, parents are NOT dumb! They know a good thing when they see it. That has to be the reason why 250,000 copies of Olivia, written and illustrated by Ian Falconer, will be in print by January 2001. Can you believe that? Olivia, Ian Falconer’s first children’s book, was just published on October 1, 2000. The response to it has already convinced the publishers that they can sell a quarter of a million copies. Wow! Unbelievable! Until you see this book.

Did you ever see those commercials on TV where they’re selling kitchen tools that slice and dice and do this and that? And, for the same low price, they’ll throw in a set of knives?

Olivia is that kind of book. Ian Falconer has created a delightful book you can share with kids whether they’re infants, or children who can read on their own. It’s almost an I Spy-type book for toddlers. There is so much going on in Olivia’s life, so many things for you to point to, or for your child to pick out, because Olivia is a little girl (okay, a little piggy) who is a bundle of energy unleashed. Ian Falconer shows us how Olivia spends her time--she’s ALWAYS on the go. The words Time out are not in her vocabulary. “She is very good at wearing people out.”

There are only 40 sentences in this book of forty pages. But, every page is filled with Olivia and her activities. Whether she’s pounding a nail, bouncing a ball, jumping rope, running, whatever, she’s always on the move.

You can hold your infant and “read” Olivia. This is a perfect way to introduce books to babies. They have no idea what you’re saying. You’re more likely to point at Olivia’s antics and discuss them than actually read the book to your infant, but your baby will respond to your warmth and closeness, the tone of your voice. The concept of “reading is a pleasurable experience” can get an early start in their lives.

Toddlers have a notoriously short attention span. Olivia works fine with them, too. In fact, if you can encourage them to participate in the storytelling, so much the better. Let them tell you what Olivia is doing. Or ask them to point to Olivia pounding a nail, or bouncing her ball, etc.

When I read to toddlers and preschoolers at the library, I see how uninterested so many of them are with the usual stories. They need to be engaged in the story. Books by Tana Hoban, where the kids can get involved with the information in the books about colors, shapes, etc., work so much better than reading a story to them. Most children of this age want to read the book with you. They want to be involved in the reading, not just hear it. Ian Falconer has created a book that will allow you to involve your listeners whether you’re a parent, teacher, or “Story Time Lady.”

As your child gets older, Olivia is still effective as a story and provides a conversational opening to discover what your child is thinking. Or likes. Or would like to do. (The time will probably come, though, when your son will no longer wish to hear a girl story. This is quite common.)

On the other hand, Olivia might become the first book your daughter can read all by herself. Why? Because she’s enjoyed it so much, and heard you read it so often that she wants to do it herself. There’s no rule that says children can’t learn harder words than, “Run Spot. Run!” And it’s so easy for them to identify with the story. They remember how they were when they, too, “were little kids like Olivia.”

Children should have no trouble appreciating Ian Falconer’s artwork. It’s light, airy, uncomplicated. He draws in black, on white pages, with touches of gray and bright splashes of red! His sense of humor shines through when he shows how Olivia’s little brother, Ian, copies what she does. Check out her sand castle, too.

Final notes

Ian Falconer wrote and illustrated Olivia which is available as:

* a hardback - [Dimensions (in inches): 0.41 x 11.37 x 8.86 - 40 pages], published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, in October 2000, ISBN: 0689829531, with a list price of $16.00 US

When you search for Olivia at amazon.com, you’ll discover you can click on a hyperlink and, “Look inside this book!” This will give you a chance to check out Ian’s artwork at http://www.amazon.com before you decide to buy Olivia. Don’t forget, with gift-giving season so near, this would make a great present!

* By the way, when your children outgrow this book, you can recycle it at your local library. Did you know that most libraries accept used books in good condition to:
* add a new book title to their shelves
* replace their worn-out copy of that title, or
* sell to raise money, and
the IRS accepts your book gifts to libraries as charitable donations just as if you had donated cash instead? How about that? I know donated books make a big difference at my small library.




Recommended: Yes