You know, sometimes it really bugs me when a book becomes a movie or a TV show. I really think the book is better. I don’t go for the excuse that maybe some kid will pick up a book because he/she saw the movie first. Most reluctant readers won’t pick up the book because they have seen the movie. The kids who read the book after they see the movie would probably have read the book eventually anyway. Now, this is not research based, and if you know of a case were I am proved false, I am delighted. After all, as a teacher I want kids to love reading.
I was extremely disappointed when I discovered that Nick, Jr. made the Olivia books into a TV show.
When Olivia was first published, I bought it for my classroom. The kids loved her. One little girl (I was teaching third grade at the time) read Olivia every chance she could get. If the book was missing, I knew I just had to open her desk and there it was.
Ian Falconer based these books on his niece, Olivia, and her younger brothers Ian and William, along with their dog and cat. An artist first, his illustrations use minimal color and simple lines; yet I dwell on each page to take in the wonderful drawings.
I had to take a peek at the TV show. It is SO CUTE!! I was hooked right away, and so of course are Lily and Emmy. However, we don’t have cable. We live in an urban area so our TV antenna works just fine. This means that we watch Olivia on the computer, and my valuable blogging time while the children are parked in front of the TV…vanished! Really, click on that link. I’m telling you, you will love Olivia. But please, read the books, too! (Even if you don’t have little kids!)
My review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
Olivia is a very active, precocious little pig. She loves the ballet, loves the museum, and builds the best sand castles. She’s not perfect; she tried to paint a Pollock-like image on the wall and ends up in time-out. And oh, yes, she doesn’t want to take a nap.
This is a delightful read aloud for little ones, and older ones will love to read it on their own!
Olivia and the Missing Toy by Ian Falconer
My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is our favorite of the Olivia books. Olivia is focused on herself, as usual, and hilarity results!