Olivia and the Fairy Princesses [Hardcover]

Ian Falconer (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: August 28, 2012 | Age Range: 3 and up | Series: Olivia | Lexile Measure: 630L (What's this?)

In this picture book starring the world’s most imaginative pig, Olivia embarks upon a quest for identity with very lofty goals—and being a princess is NOT one of them!

Olivia is having an identity crisis! There are too many ruffly, sparkly princesses around these days, and Olivia has had quite enough. She needs to stand out! She has to be special! She wants to do more than just fit in! So what will she be?

     Join Olivia on a hilarious quest for individuality, and rest assured, you won’t find THIS pig pleased to be in pink!

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Thank God for Ian Falconer and his Olivia. She is the popular school-age pig, the latest in a lien of independent, high-spirited young ladies that goes back at least to Madeline and Eloise, and also includes Frances the badger and Lilly the mouse. Her seventh full-fledged adventure, “Olivia and the Fairy Princesses,” is, to my taste, her best since her introduction 12 years ago.” (The New York Times Book Review, August 2012)

“The legions of young children (and parents) who have relished Ian Falconer's "Olivia" books are well aware that the redoubtable eponymous piglet has a distinct personality and a flamboyant sensibility all her own. As a stand-in for the most amusing sort of precocious child, Olivia revels in her uniqueness and finds it provoking that other people need to conform. Yet at the same time, she is not wholly indifferent to the pleasures that other little girls enjoy.” (Wall Street Journal, August 25, 2012)

* “Falconer’s hammy piglet…opens this delightful installment declaring, “I think I’m having an identity crisis.... I don’t know what I should be!”….Olivia stubbornly dresses in red-and-white-striped long johns, resists damsel-in-distress bedtime stories, and lies awake considering philanthropic lines of work. Lest this be seen as pure propaganda, however, Olivia’s ultimate career decision places everything in perspective.” (Publishers Weekly)

“In this latest, delightfully droll episode, readers find their precocious pig suffering from an identity crisis.... Olivia’s whirring brain begins to consider what she might like to be…. Her ultimate choice is quintessentially Olivia. Falconer’s charcoal-and-gouache illustrations, black and white with splashes of color interspersed, showcase Olivia’s unique spirit and dramatic flair…panache aplenty.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Olivia is back and as strong-willed as ever in this rumination on individuality. The usually upbeat piglet is depressed. “I think I’m having an identity crisis.” All of the children in her class want to be princesses…. But Olivia likes to be unique…. Falconer’s trademark use of minimalistic color to make Olivia stand out from the crowd is in full force here. His visual humor underscores his punch lines and illustrates Olivia’s imagination…the subtle, sophisticated humor is pitched at adults as well as children. Falconer’s witty parent-child banter will resonate with listeners old and young alike. Anyone who is afraid of challenging words and complex ideas should stay away, but parents looking for a way to expand their children’s minds with more than a few chuckles along the way will find this story just the ticket. More please.”

—School Library Journal, August 2012

“Olivia is depressed. She sees that individuality counts for little in her world…. After she spends the night pondering what she can be other than a princess, the last page shows her glorious answer…as with previous books, most of the fun comes from the delicious artwork executed in signature charcoal perked up with reds…. There are also some strong messages here about individuality and reinventing yourself according to your own vision. It’s an idea you’re never to young to learn.” (Booklist)

“Independent-minded Olivia continues to be an endearing and distinctive heroine, and many a kid (and adult) weary of Barbie-pink fluff will find Olivia’s perspective refreshing…the hordes of piglets clad in rosy tutus are actually quite adorable, but confident Olivia pictorially makes a strong case for striped ensembles and primary hues as she attractively poses in Falconer’s charcoal and gouache illustrations.

This is a helpful reassurance that there are enjoyable alternatives to pink princesses for imaginative play and dressup possibilities.” (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, September 2012)

"I approach sequels cautiously--they frequently don't measure up to the original. Happily, this one doesn't disappoint.... Falconer's droll humor is evident in both words and pictures...pure Olivia." (The Plain Dealer)

About the Author

Ian Falconer is the author and illustrator of the Olivia book series. The character of Olivia—a precocious little pig who loves fashion, ballet, opera, and getting her own way—is based on Falconer's real-life niece. Falconer's illustrations have graced numerous covers of The New Yorker magazine. In addition, he has designed sets and costumes for the New York City Ballet, the San Francisco Opera, and the Royal Opera House, among others. He lives in New York.

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; 1St Edition edition (August 28, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1442450274
• ISBN-13: 978-1442450271
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Royalty
  • #23 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Pigs
  • #44 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Self-Esteem & Self-Respect

More 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, and Olivia Forms a Band. 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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good concept, seems a little mean September 18, 2012

By H. Strawser

Format:Hardcover

As a parent tired of the princess craze, I was looking forward to this book's release so I could read it to my daughter. I love the other Olivia books. I found Olivia's derision of her peers a little mean-spirited. She's always been an oddball who's wanted to stand out and do her own thing, which is what makes her special, but in the other books that I've read, it's never been about knocking down others' choices. I wish Falconer could've gotten his point across without tearing others down. We checked this out from the library, so we'll be skipping it in our wishlist. It is cute and funny, though. Maybe it's the start of an older, more mature (and slightly more status conscious) Olivia.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "DELIGHTFUL AND HILARIOUS!" August 28, 2012

By Geraldine Ahearn TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Ian Falconer, author and illustrator of the Olivia series delivers another fun-filled story about Olivia the pig who embarks on a serious problem, identity crisis. Olivia wants to be independent and under the spotlight as an individual, but her goal has been difficult to reach. Everyone else wants to be a princess, which makes Olivia more depressed, because that's not her dream. Her unique spirit on this quest to simply be who she wants to be is highlighted by fascinating illustrations. The story is laugh-out-loud entertainment as it teaches children to follow their dreams. Enjoyable and Highly Recommended for young children, teachers, and child-care providers!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So cute. March 9, 2013

By texfran211

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I read this to my granddaughter. Then I asked her 9 year old brother to read it for his daily reading. He smiled, he smirked and said... 'Olivia sounds just like my sister!'