Olivia

Falconer, I. (2000). Olivia. NY: Athenum

    Hope you're well rested because Olivia is a bundle of energy! Whether she's singing her favorite loud songs, dressing up in everything she owns, or building the most impressive sand sculpture ever seen, this imaginative pig captures your heart with her enthusiasm.  Besides, who has time for a nap when there's so many books to read or walls to paint?

Textbook Assignment #1

 Literary Example of Color

     Unlike The Paperbag Princess, Olivia’s world is not awash in color. Falconer clearly wanted us to focus on Olivia and her larger than life personality. Black and white are his colors of choice, with careful pops of red sprinkled throughout Olivia’s world. This bright red is never shared with the members of her family, further drawing the reader’s eye to Olivia. It is only when we are introduced to classic works of art, courtesy of Jackson Pollock and Edgar Degas, that we are allowed glimpses of a wider variety of colors. The contrast to the black, white and red throughout the rest of the book causes these masterpieces to stand out, rightfully.

Evaluative Criteria - Character

     The larger-than-life personality of Olivia earns this pig her own book. Her boldness and unending energy is more memorable than any one thing she does in the story. Many young children can relate to her curiosity, her determination and they way she drags her poor cat around. Many mothers reading Olivia to their children feel for her mother who must have lots of laundry!

Olivia Website
http://www.oliviathepiglet.com/

Link to Author Info and Lesson Plans
http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=5097&a=1