Olivia is getting into the Christmas spirit. There are presents to wrap, ornaments to hang on the tree, snowpigs to build...But what mischief and mayhem will she get up to this time? This delightfully told and beautifully illustrated new Olivia story belongs under everyone's Christmas tree this year!
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
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Olivia Helps with Christmas
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Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Everyone's favorite Caldecott honor-winning porcine and #1 Kris Cringle enthusiast is helping to make the season brighter than ever. Christmas is coming, and Olivia is incredibly busy. She has to wait for Santa, make sure dad sets up the tree, wait for Santa, watch mom make the Christmas dinner, wait for Santa, oversee the care with which the stockings are hung and, of course, OPEN HER PRESENTS! Do you see how hard it is to be so helpful during the holidays! A lovingly-told and lavishly-illustrated Olivia Helps With Christmas is the perfect stuffing for any stocking, and the newest star atop the Olivia series.
Amazon.com Exclusive
Olivia's Family Traditions
It did not matter how much discussion there was to be had with his editors during the process of creating Olivia Helps with Christmas, there was one thing that Ian Falconer was absolutely certain about... Santa Claus would appear NOWHERE in the book. Olivia and her brothers and sisters would do everything they could to get ready for Santa, and they sure would be anticipating Santa's arrival, but readers would not see the fabled Kriss Kringle. With all the ideas that were put on the table for this book, that was one Falconer would not stray from.
Amazon.com Exclusive
Olivia's Family Traditions
It did not matter how much discussion there was to be had with his editors during the process of creating Olivia Helps with Christmas, there was one thing that Ian Falconer was absolutely certain about... Santa Claus would appear NOWHERE in the book. Olivia and her brothers and sisters would do everything they could to get ready for Santa, and they sure would be anticipating Santa's arrival, but readers would not see the fabled Kriss Kringle. With all the ideas that were put on the table for this book, that was one Falconer would not stray from. And with good reason.
This was to be a different type of Christmas book. A book about how a family celebrates Christmas, and how a lot of family holiday traditions really revolve around preparations. In fact, the reason the book has such a personal feel to it is because many of the traditions that Olivia and her family celebrate were taken straight from Ian's childhood memories: Being asked to set the Christmas table was a big honor for Ian (as it is for Olivia in the book). The caroling by the piano, the "Santa watch," the order in which things were done (tree up Christmas Eve, dinner, caroling, hanging stockings), even the phrase "warming your trotters by the fire"--all of it has roots in the Falconer home. And since Ian never did catch a glimpse of Santa at Christmas, neither could Olivia. It's for the best, really. Olivia likes to be the true star of her books--Santa would have met his match.
For your viewing pleasure: A bonus illustration of Olivia not available in Olivia Helps with Christmas!
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.
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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.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 30 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Different in tone to the other Olivia books, but wonderful in its own way
October 6, 2007
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book feels just like Christmas Eve does to a young one - frenetic, thrilling, and filled with anticipation. The book doesn't flow in the way the other recent Olivia books do, and there isn't a real storyline beyond them waiting for Christmas and enjoying the holiday in a sweet way together.
Each page tells its own story in a few lines. Olivia and family begin by getting a tree and coming home from shopping, then there is a page on Olivia helping put up the tree, feeding William the baby, peering up the chimney for Santa, putting up Christmas lights, setting the table, singing carols, setting out cookies for Santa, and so on till Christmas morning arrives and there are PRESENTS!!! All through the book are the charming touches and interludes that we love in Olivia books. I don't want to ruin them for you, but there were many scenes that made me laugh out loud!
In the more recent books, Olivia does something that drives the plot, and the story gains momentum in that way. This book feels more like the first Olivia book, where we are introduced to her and follow her through a number of separate activities in which she shows her great charm. It was hard for me to shift from expecting a little storyline to just enjoying the illustrations and the small touches of cleverness, and honestly I was a tiny bit disappointed at the lack of continuity through the book.
That said, if you go into it expecting a style more like the first one than the latest three, you will enjoy it a lot!
The pictures are clear and beautiful, Olivia's little brother Ian is really growing up and becoming a part of things, and Perry the dog's scene in which he "helps" Santa with the cookies is hilarious. I think parents and children alike will enjoy this charming little book. I am 28 years old and enjoy Olivia anyway (who says I am too old?), and this one is certainly going into my permanent collection for Christmas rereads.
Each page tells its own story in a few lines. Olivia and family begin by getting a tree and coming home from shopping, then there is a page on Olivia helping put up the tree, feeding William the baby, peering up the chimney for Santa, putting up Christmas lights, setting the table, singing carols, setting out cookies for Santa, and so on till Christmas morning arrives and there are PRESENTS!!! All through the book are the charming touches and interludes that we love in Olivia books. I don't want to ruin them for you, but there were many scenes that made me laugh out loud!
In the more recent books, Olivia does something that drives the plot, and the story gains momentum in that way. This book feels more like the first Olivia book, where we are introduced to her and follow her through a number of separate activities in which she shows her great charm. It was hard for me to shift from expecting a little storyline to just enjoying the illustrations and the small touches of cleverness, and honestly I was a tiny bit disappointed at the lack of continuity through the book.
That said, if you go into it expecting a style more like the first one than the latest three, you will enjoy it a lot!
The pictures are clear and beautiful, Olivia's little brother Ian is really growing up and becoming a part of things, and Perry the dog's scene in which he "helps" Santa with the cookies is hilarious. I think parents and children alike will enjoy this charming little book. I am 28 years old and enjoy Olivia anyway (who says I am too old?), and this one is certainly going into my permanent collection for Christmas rereads.
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Many young readers have already met and fallen in love with Olivia, the perkiest porker to be found. If your favorite school-ager hasn't had the pleasure yet, now is a perfect time as Olivia gets into the spirit of the holiday season.
Ian Falconer's illustrations are irresistible as is his text which is liberally sprinkled with quips. Who could resist smiling when Olivia gets soot on her snout as she peers up the chimney looking for Santa?
Her family goes through the traditional pre-Christmas rituals, singing carols, trimming the tree (as Olivia tangles herself in strings of lights), and leaving a snack for St. Nick.
We're treated to both visual and verbal gifts from the irrepressible Mr. Falconer on the night when "not a piglet was stirring" (supposedly).
- Gail Cooke
Ian Falconer's illustrations are irresistible as is his text which is liberally sprinkled with quips. Who could resist smiling when Olivia gets soot on her snout as she peers up the chimney looking for Santa?
Her family goes through the traditional pre-Christmas rituals, singing carols, trimming the tree (as Olivia tangles herself in strings of lights), and leaving a snack for St. Nick.
We're treated to both visual and verbal gifts from the irrepressible Mr. Falconer on the night when "not a piglet was stirring" (supposedly).
- Gail Cooke
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Misc. Supplies|Amazon Verified Purchase
Durability:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Educational:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This sweetie of a doll was the favorite passed around this Christmas! The expression, the polkadot jammies, and well attached gift stole the show. We also got the book--she's on the back in this outfit! The kids and adults alike gave a thumbs up!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Olivia perfection
Hilarious and wonderful book! My daughter brought it home from her school library and we fell in love with it and had to purchase one for our home collection. Buy this book! Read more
Published 14 days ago by JLKJAM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Adorable little pig, but I wouldn't want to live with her.
We have a stack of Xmas books we read every year. I have a fav pile, and a, "if I read this one more time and hate it as much as I did last time, then its going to a better... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Herb & Anna
4.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful!
This book was in better condition than I originally thought. I got it for my niece Olivia, and she loves it.
Published 3 months ago by sdh
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!!!
My daughter, 5, loves the Olivia books. Ian Falconer's characteristically simple, yet exceptional, illustrations and text instantly make you a fan.
Published 3 months ago by P. Nasados
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Christmas book for your Olivia fan!
We bought this book for our 2.5 year old to open on Christmas Eve. She loves it. It is spunky and smart like all of the "Olivia" books by Ian Falconer. I highly recommend!
Published 3 months ago by AmandaO
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love Olivia!
I really like Falconer's Olivia books and especially enjoyed this tale about Christmas as did my 3 year old daughter. Read more
Published 4 months ago by I. Lisko
5.0 out of 5 stars
Instant Xmas classic
My daughter chose this rating and it is well deserved. She initially checked the book out from the library, when I found it under her pillow the day after it was due back to... Read more
Published 4 months ago by ryan brightman
5.0 out of 5 stars
great book
Looking fwd to reading it to my child. Funny even for adults to read. Has lots of pictures on each page.
Published 5 months ago by luv2shop
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hehe
We love Olivia and this is such a cute story again. It makes us giggle when we read it as well. It's a great book for story time before Christmas.
Published 5 months ago by raccoon981
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Granddaughter's First Hardcover Book
My Lily is an Olivia fan and rightly so. Olivia is a sweet, considerate, mannerly little pig and does a great job of setting a good role model for children. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Carol Ann Malcolm
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