Oliver: A Story About Adoption [Hardcover]

Lois Wickstrom (Author), Priscilla Marden (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Oliver, a lizardlike animal who has been adopted, sulks after being scolded and wonders what his "real" parents are like.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-- Oliver wishes he had a totally different life after receiving a gentle reprimand from his adoptive father. Sent to his room, the young lizardlike creature is convinced that his birth parents would have cut him a much better deal. A little later his mother and father share their own childhood fantasies with him. Most children, explains his father, imagine the lives they could be having, especially when they are angry with their parents. Thus enlightened, Oliver decides to stay put. Whimsical black-and-white ink drawings somewhat temper the earnest message of this book. Oliver is not ``a story about adoption'' as the subtitle would have it; it would work just as well if the boy were a biological child. --Anna Biagioni Hart, Martha Washington Library, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Our Child Pr (June 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961187255
• ISBN-13: 978-0961187255
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #890,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Every morning and evening, my husband and I walk our dogs and pick up trash around the neighborhood. We live many miles away from our children and grand children, so we don't see them very often. We have an organic garden, and a make-shift greenhouse in the basement for starting seeds. We live in the inner city, so there's no place to park a car. We ride our bikes everywhere that's practical and we belong to PhillyCarShare.org which is a car co-op. When we want a car, we rent it by the hour. We only need a car about once a month.
At the moment, I'm taking a screen-writing class which I'm loving. I also belong to Toastmasters to improve my oral storytelling skills.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book!, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Oliver: A Story About Adoption (Hardcover)

This book is great for helping to explain adoption to young children! Not your typical children's book. Simple, yet there is much meaning behind the story, allowing for discussion with your kid(s). I recommend it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is NO difference. LOVE conquers all., November 13, 2002

By 

Joan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oliver: A Story About Adoption (Hardcover)

Excellent choice. OLIVER appeals to all ages. What made it more special was that Oliver was a DINOSAUR and every child I've met likes dinosaurs and stories about them. Great way to explain the trials and tribulations of being adopted. Our son enjoyed Oliver going into space because he wants to go to the moon. I highly recommend this book and the black & white illustrations invite a child that enjoys art to even color the pages to make it more personal.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Happy Iguana, November 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Oliver: A Story About Adoption (Hardcover)

I like seeing Oliver climb a tree because I like to climb trees. He reminds me of myself. I liked Oliver going into space because I want to go to the moon. It's natural to think about your birthparents because I sometimes do. Buy it! You'll like it too!