Miss Piggy in Red

      

Title: Olivia

Author:  Ian Falconer

Illustrator: Ian Falconer

Published: Simon and Schuster

Copyright:  2000

Pages: 32

Category:  Children

I chose this book because it reminds me of my two year old daughter, who can be a handful at times. The same things Olivia does my two year old does too except building a giant sand castle. Olivia is a busy body pig, who has so much energy; she is never sleepy. Every day she had a routine that consists of move the cat, brush her teeth, combs her ears, and move the cat. She gets dressed and has to try on everything. Her mother takes her to the beach and she teaches her to make sandcastle. Only Olivia does it better. On an outing to the museum Olivia saw a painting and tries to do the same at home, but she gets sent to time out because she throws paint all over the walls in her bedroom. Olivia and her mother read a book at bedtime, her mother tells her, “You really wear me out, but I love you anyways,” and Olivia replies, “I love you anyways too”.

The illustrations are done on paper in charcoal and gouache. Throughout the book the color red is shown on Olivia and no other place to draw attention to her. The cartoon drawing adds a fun and loving touch.  The illustrator used two paintings in the book, Autumn Rhythm by Jackson Pollack and Bella Rehearsal by Edgar Degas.

The words are very simple and recommend for first through third grade. This book can be used for character education because it shows the responsibilities and caring nature of a family..  During a writing unit ask the children to write about their everyday life, things the like to do, and if they have any siblings that bother them. This book can be used as a read aloud, story time, or even to get the student attention. This book has many honors 2000 Mitten Award Nominee for Honor Book, Parent's Choice Gold Award Winner,  2001 Caldecott Honor, Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Children’s Illustrated, ALA Notable Children’s Book for Younger Readers (2000 & 2001). Nick Jr. Best Book of 2001, Child’s Best Book of 2001, Los Angeles Times Best Books of 2000 & 2001,and Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2000 & 2001.