The Olivia Audio Collection [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Ian Falconer (Author), Dame Edna Everage (Reader)

Book Description

Finally available on audio, all five Olivia titles in one collection, gloriously read by Dame Edna Everage.

Olivia

Olivia...and the Missing Toy

Olivia Forms a Band

Olivia Saves the Circus

Olivia Helps with Christmas

Share in the antics and adventures of Olivia, everyone's favorite hyperactive piglet, as she spins tall tales about lion taming and tightrope walking, plays amateur detective, starts her own one-pig band, saves Santa from being cooked in the fireplace, and creates more than her fair share of havoc that will amuse and delight listeners of all ages.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ian Falconer is the author and illustrator of all the titles in the bestselling Olivia series: Olivia, Olivia Saves the Circus, Olivia...and the Missing Toy, Olivia Forms a Band, Olivia Helps with Christmas, and Olivia Goes to Venice. His illustrations have also graced many covers of the New Yorker. In addition, he has designed sets and costumes for the New York City Ballet, the San Francisco Opera, and the Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), among others. Mr. Falconer lives in New York City.

From AudioFile

Olivia is a precocious and exhausting big sister piglet with an extraordinary imagination and the stamina to go with it. These five stories are read by Australian comedian Barry Humphries in the exaggerated posh accent of his Dame Edna persona--which certainly suits the piglet's over-the-top antics. The most effective and spectacular events in these stories are told in the detailed illustrations, sometime double or triple spreads, which elaborate on the sparse and understated text. So while each story is accompanied by splendid piano music played by Peter Minton to fill in the many wordless sections of the illustrations, the pictures provide humorous sequences with details the listener will enjoy. Those wanting the full Olivia impact should pick up the books at the local library. R.H.H. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD: 1 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Unabridged edition (January 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743579593
• ISBN-13: 978-0743579599
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Books on CD > Children's Fiction > Animals

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Need the book, August 2, 2010

By 

S. Davis (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Olivia Audio Collection (Audio CD)

Dame Edna is wonderful, but she reads the book. What's wrong with that? The Olivia books rely on funny pictures as a part of the narrative and if you are simply listening to someone read them, no matter how well, you miss much of the story and much of the humor. For this format they should have been rewritten so that what happens in the pictures is described to the listener. Very disappointing, and kind of a ripoff.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Audio CD, November 3, 2009

By 

Elizabeth Brown - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Olivia Audio Collection (Audio CD)

My son LOVES the Olivia books, therefore we love this CD. I think we enjoy it more because we have read all of the books, "know" Olivia's sense of humor, and can picture the beautiful illustrations from the books, whereas children who have not read the books might miss some of the story since many times the humor is found in how the story is tied to the illustrations. It is frequently requested during car rides or while falling asleep at night by my 3 year old. It is relatively short, but I believe it actually contains all of the "real" Olivia books. Keep in mind, these go with the books, not the Olivia television show.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Olivia audio collection, January 2, 2011

By 

Mom of 2 (NC, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Olivia Audio Collection (Audio CD)

I don't know if I missed something in the description or what, but this cd is nothing like the tv show. I thought it would be more entertaining. You have to have the books to really understand the cd. There's a lot of piano music which I think cue's you to look at the pictures. It sounds nothing like the show. My son was disappointed, as am I. I know it's narrated and that the voice wouldn't be the same voice as the tv show, but I feel as though it's lacking with out the books.