A Boxed Set of Olivia and Olivia Saves the Circus

FROM OUR EDITORS

Take one adorable porcine heroine, add two hilarious picture books about her, mix a little style and whimsy, and throw in a limited-edition poster -- what do you get? The Olivia boxed set! Olivia and Olivia Saves the Circus are now together in one box with a poster, and the star piglet shines more brightly than ever. A terrific gift for any child who hasn't been introduced to Olivia -- and an even better present for fans looking to complete their collections -- this boxed set will be cherished by anyone looking for a self-assured, adventurous mascot.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The picture-book world's hottest new star is now appearing in a double feature -- the Olivia Boxed Set. From her stunning introduction in Olivia to her show-stopping performance in Olivia Saves the Circus, Olivia is back to steal the show once more. Readers of all ages will delight in watching Ian Falconer's creation wear herself out singing, painting, imagining, and tirelessly pursuing adventure. Includes a limited-edition poster.

SPANISH LANGUAGE COMMENTARY

Esta nueva y extraordinaria heroína debuta ante nosotros en este irresistible libro. Olivia es una cerdita vivaracha y con una energía desmesurada. Canta, construye rascacielos de arena, se prueba toda su ropa. Intenta librarse de su hermano pequeño, decora las paredes del salón y pide a su madre que le lea cinco libros antes de irse a la cama. A Olivia no hay quien la canse. De más está decir que su madre acaba siempre agotada.

Los pequeños estarán encantados y se sentirán identificados con las travesuras de Olivia... y los adultos compadecerán a su pobre madre que posee un amor y una paciencia casi infinitos.

Ian Falconer ha diseñado decorados y vestuarios para la Royal Opera House y para Convent Garden, entre otros. Es pintor e ilustrador y su trabajo ha sido portada de varios números de The New Yorker Review. Vive en Nueva York y Olivia es su primer libro ilustrado.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The Olivia Boxed Set will have fans of Ian Falconer's perky piglet oinking for joy. The attractive black, white and salmon-pink slipcover holds Olivia-a 2001 Caldecott Honor book-and Olivia Saves the Circus plus a laminated poster of the red stockings-clad starlet in a quartet of ballet poses, suitable for framing. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

Olivia is a masterpiece of simplicity that portrays the complex, imaginative psyche of children. Olivia's boundless energy tests her mother's patience and her little brother's endurance, while wrapping herself into the reader's heart. Deciding what to wear takes a full page of choices, all executed in charcoal and gouache with highlights of red. With humor and honest emotions, Olivia is "every child" who accepts Degas, Jackson Pollock and Maria Callas as equals. Her bedroom walls reflect her Pollock phase, which causes Mom to say, "Time out!" When Olivia negotiates with her mother over the number of books to be read at bedtime, every parent smiles. Olivia is a Caldecott Honor Book that proves the maxim that "less is more." 2000, Antheneum, $16.00. Ages 4 up. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3-From the articles of clothing strewn across the front endpapers of this droll account of Olivia's escapades, readers may surmise that this porcine heroine is no ordinary youngster. Olivia is constantly on the move, dreaming big dreams and meeting every challenge head-on. She doesn't just get dressed, she tries on every outfit in the closet. She doesn't just dance, she envisions herself as a prima ballerina bowing before an adoring audience. When her mother teaches her to build sand castles, Olivia creates a towering structure that closely resembles the Chrysler Building in New York City. When she views a Jackson Pollack painting in the museum, she immediately concludes that she can do better and proceeds to try her hand at painting a wall at home. Her efforts earn her time out and a bath. The text is brief, funny, and sometimes ironic in relation to the highly amusing illustrations. The only touches of color in the pictures, executed in charcoal and gouache, are the bright reds of the clothing or objects used by Olivia. There are often many renderings of the young pig on each large white background, effectively demonstrating her boundless energy. Even at day's end, she is still going strong, negotiating the number of books to be read at bedtime. For a lively storyhour featuring feisty females, pair this with Kevin Henkes's stories about Lilly.-Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

People Magazine

High energy piglet Olivia excels at all kinds of things, especially wearing people out. A charming tale sure to strike a chord with the grade school set.

Karen Carden - The Christian Science Monitor