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When it comes time to tell the class what she did on her vacation, Olivia isn't at all nervous. In fact, she remembers it quite clearly--she went to the circus, you see. "But when we got there, all the circus people were out sick with ear infections." What are the odds? But the show must go on! Fortunately, Olivia jumps right in to help out--riding elephants, posing as the Tattooed Lady (she draws on the pictures with a marker), taming lions, walking tightropes, juggling, clowning around, and more. In a marvelous fold-out, four-panel spread, our porcine heroine even reigns supreme as the Queen of the Trampoline. "And that's how I saved the circus. And now I am famous." Olivia looks proud. Her teacher looks mad. Ian Falconer shines in this dryly hilarious sequel to his 2001 Caldecott Honor Book Olivia. The charcoal and gouache illustrations perfectly capture Olivia's earnest expressions. Be prepared to be charmed anew! (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Could there be a more ideal place for Olivia than in the center ring under the Big Top? It will come as no surprise to her many fans that this is how Olivia claims to have spent her summer vacation. Using the same day-in-the-life format as his show-stopping debut (Olivia), Falconer shows Olivia making pancakes for her two brothers (including new addition William) before school. "This is a big help to her mother," accompanies a picture of utter chaos in the kitchen. The heroine adds her signature red accoutrements to her "really boring uniform," then heads to the classroom where it's her turn to tell about her summer ("Olivia always blossoms in front of an audience"); she holds both teacher and students (and readers) rapt as she describes her trip to the circus. "All the circus people were out sick with ear infections," says Olivia. "Luckily I knew how to do everything." Falconer outdoes himself with theatrical scenes of the diminutive leading lady teetering on top of an elephant's head, walking on stilts and, in a four-page fold-out spread, as "Queen of the Trampoline" flying off the trapeze and somersaulting in the air (the outline of her porkish figure trapped in the trampoline netting is worth the price of admission). He once again demonstrates how attuned he is to the way a child thinks when, at the very end of her share, in tiny typeface, Olivia tacks on a shred of truth, "Then one time my dad took me sailing The End." This star's numerous spectators can only hope that she will have many encores. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Olivia!,
By Sandy Fogel (Foley, MN United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Olivia Saves the Circus (Hardcover)
Ian Falconer's captivating main character, Olivia, seems to be an average little pig, who lives an average little life. While at school however, she claims that she saved the entire circus, because everyone else had ear infections. She goes on and on with her creative story, always claiming that she is telling the truth. This book is great for young children. The story is creative and funny. The illustrations are bold, vivid, and humorous. Children will love this book!
3.0 out of 5 stars
There are better spunky imaginative kid stories,
By NK "NK" (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Olivia Saves the Circus (Hardcover)
On a first, not-so-critical read, the story was enjoyable. The pictures, in black and white accessorized with red (see cover for example), are charming, serene and elegant. The poster of Eleanor Roosevelt in Olivia's bedroom can actually make it worth reading and is definitely a five star detail. The spotlighting of a different circus act on each page was great for my 2 1/2 year old who loves the circus. Olivia is a spunky and imaginative child. She is also spoiled and obnoxious with a badly stereotyped mother (passive) and female teacher (presumably anti-imagination and -fun). There is definitely a need for positive assertive and independent creative female protaginists in children's stories but there is no need to assume that the only alternatives are passive or killjoy older females. The pejorative portrayl of the teacher is enough to make this book a definite do not read. Given the problems with education and the images that children already receive, the last thing we need to do is unnecessarily make it worse by propogating more negative stereotypes about school. Olivia's attitude in responding to her teacher and her mother is unfortunately too realistic - there's no need to assume that such obnoxious behavior is admirable as long as one can be clever and individualistic. Adults need to take responsibility for the character traits that we are willing to validate as admirable and provide "people" in books and other media that we want children to emulate. For truly more admirable spunky and creative girls, try Pippi Longstocking, Amelia Bedelia, Pirate Pink, or Treva ("Trouble with Trolls"). The Caldecott Award is given to honor artists/illustrators, which also happens to be a key component to books for very young children. And this book is beautifully and uniquely illustrated. But given the nature of our society and the problems that parents and children must face, we need to be more diligent in what we expose our children to and that means being willing to take a stand and say no to books that don't remove the pejorative stereotypes and negative values. There are literally 1000s of books out there for young children. It's actually very easy to find really good stories-- with beautiful illustrations - so there's no need to have to settle for this story.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Olivia is one of a kind!,
By
This review is from: Olivia Saves the Circus (Hardcover)
Not since Wilbur of "Charlotte's Web" fame was labeled "Some Pig" have we seen a porcine protagonist as endearing as Olivia. This self-assured swine knows she's different than the rest of the sty and lives her uniqueness.In "Olivia Saves the Circus", our heroine is confronted with the dreaded task of sharing her summer vacation with her class. Not content to live in reality, she fabricates a story in which she saves the day by taking on the roles of the trapeze artist, tattooed lady, and "Queen of the Trampoline" when the regular circus performers are done in by that scourge of children, ear infections. And despite her incredulous teacher, Olivia has the confidence to stick with her story. Does she realize it's an embellishment, if not a complete fraud? Well, yeah, but that's Olivia. If she believes it, it's real. Ian Falconer has created a totally unique character in Olivia that also pays homage to previous literary little girls of the headstrong variety. She has sense of style outside the realms of reality (witness the Eleanor Roosevelt poster on her wall), but it's one that will appeal to both adults and children. If there is any hesitation here (enough for the loss of a star) it's that usually dreamers like Olivia get some sort of comeuppance that helps them learn, but also allows them to stay dreamers. Instead, Olivia always manages to get a pass on correction. It's the world that is out of step, not her. Some might question how good a message that is to send to young children, while others might feel that cultivating a sense of the eccentric is needed for allowing children to explore their own personalities. Still, no matter what you think, Olivia is here to stay and should prove to be a classic character.
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