Olivia's Opposites [Board book]

Ian Falconer (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Olivia

Come and go with Olivia!

In this enchanting board book, toddlers will join everyone's favorite piglet as they learn about opposites.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Olivia knows all about opposites. Sometimes this porcine heroine of Ian Falconer's Caldecott Honor Book, Olivia, is "plain," attired only in red briefs. Other times she is "fancy," with high-heeled dress-up shoes, lipstick, pearls, and a big red bow. Sometimes—-when Olivia is running the circus, for example (Olivia Saves the Circus)--she is very "loud" with a lion, which renders the lion rather "quiet." Whether meeting this energetic and incorrigible piglet for the first or the 100th time, readers of all ages will be happy to watch Olivia do pretty much anything, even something as simple as counting (Olivia Counts) or teaching about opposites. This sturdy little board book, with lots of white space and black-and-white illustrations, splashed with occasional red, is a perfect introduction to the concepts of opposites, from "up" and "down" to the "open" and "closed" mouth of our yawning, pajama'd pig at the conclusion. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Children's NOTES Learn with Olivia What better way for toddlers to learn the basics than with two board books starring Ian Falconer's Olivia? Youngsters start with one ball at the beach (in the signature red-and-white stripes) and finish with ten Olivias jumping rope, doing handstands and sprawling on a beach towel in Olivia Counts. A red numeral accompanies each scene. In Olivia's Opposites she demonstrates word pairs with comic flair (for instance, she models a scarlet evening gown for long and a red tutu for short). Both feature b&w and red illustrations from Falconer's Caldecott Honor book, Olivia, and its companion, Olivia Saves the Circus. (June)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Board book: 12 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689850883
• ISBN-13: 978-0689850882
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Baby-3 > Basic Concepts > Opposites
  • #58 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Pigs

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

40 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A somewhat dissappointing opposite book for Olivia fans, June 15, 2002

By 

Ariel Pawlak (POMPANO BEACH, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Olivia's Opposites (Board book)

I bought this book for my almost three year old daughter because she has shown an intrest in learning about opposites and we both love Olivia. My main complaint about this book is the same one I have for Olivia's counting. There are no new pictures of Olivia in this book. All of the pictures come from Ian Falconer's previous two story books Olivia and Olivia at the Circus. It seems like Mr. Falconer didn't feel like putting forth anything new for his two Olivia board books. Anyone hoping to get a further glimpse into Olivia's personality will not find it here. I am somewhat supprised that he chose to make such a simple opposites book when the original Olivia storybooks are for more sophisticated. That said the opposites are good simple ones that young children will understand for example up/down, quiet/loud, and my favorite plain/fancy (hadn't thought to teach my daughter that one). I think that this book is best for very young children. If your child is able to understand the two full length Olivia storybooks than there are better opposite books out there. Check out Chuck Murphy's Opposites if you have a preschooler. It is an interactive experience.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this before the other Olivia books, April 23, 2003

By 

Shannon Jenkins (Mount Pleasant, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olivia's Opposites (Board book)

We got this for our son when he was 3 months old, and this is absolutely his favorite book. We're not sure why, but this book has the power to calm him down almost any (and I mean any) time we read it to him. I think it may be because of the great pictures. We purchased this book before any of the other Olivia books and I think that's what the intention was; this book introduces younger kids to Olivia, before they're ready for the other books. As a result, we weren't disappointed at all and in fact are looking forward to the day when our son doesn't rip apart regular books so we can try the other Olivia stories.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plain, but fancy...oh so cute, September 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Olivia's Opposites (Board book)

LOVE this book!! Everyone is upset because the drawings were taken from his other 2 books, but that is how children learn...through repitition. My 2 year old reads it to me...we laugh a lot, especially at the "plain/fancy" pic's. with all the lipstick & pearls. So cute! Who would have thought of that one. Check out Olivia counts book too...7 accessories, how adorable!!!