Olivia the Spy

by Ian Falconer, Ian Falconer (Illustrator)

Overview

Everyone’s favorite pig is about to have a birthday…but will her penchant for eavesdropping lead to more than presents?

Olivia’s birthday is days away. Plans must be made. Who makes plans? Moms! Who simply must know the plans? Olivia, who is NOT above eavesdropping. But when she not-so-accidentally-but-kinda overhears her mom talking about her not-so-squeaky-clean-and-possibly-very-bad-behavior, Olivia’s imagination runs wild…because it sounds like not only will there be no birthday, but Mom might just be sending her to military school instead. What a BAD birthday that would be!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481457958
Publisher:	Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Publication date:	04/04/2017
Series:	Olivia the Pig Series
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	146,127
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	AD550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Ian Woodward Falconer (1959–2023) was an author and illustrator of children’s books, including the beloved Olivia series, and a designer of sets and costumes for the theater. He created thirty covers for The New Yorker as well as other publications.

Ian Woodward Falconer (1959–2023) was an author and illustrator of children’s books, including the beloved Olivia series, and a designer of sets and costumes for the theater. He created thirty covers for The New Yorker as well as other publications.

Hometown:

New York, New York

Date of Birth:

August 25, 1959

Place of Birth:

Ridgefield, Connecticut

Education:

Studied art history at New York University and painting at Parsons School of Design and Otis Art Institute

Editorial Reviews

…entertaining…Falconer's ingenious mixed-media art is as mood-lifting as ever.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

01/30/2017
Olivia is back after a five-year absence, and at first glance she seems as fierce as ever (“Mommy, I know how to use the blender,” she says, before wreaking blueberry smoothie havoc on the kitchen). But Olivia soon senses that in her mother’s eyes, a kind of behavioral Rubicon has been crossed; desperate to learn more about her fate, she resorts to domestic espionage. Falconer’s elegant charcoal and gouache drawings are a sight for sore eyes, and he comes up with wonderful camouflages for his heroine, including one involving a Rothko-like painting. Olivia overhears the word “institution,” deduces that it refers to prison, and—for a few important pages— thinks that she has been beat. Seeing Olivia cowed, submissive, and sadly packing her suitcase for what she believes is a trip to the Big House may surprise her diehard fans, but it’s soon revealed that the institution in question is the ballet, where she, of course, steals the show. Falconer leaves no doubt that Olivia emerges from her dark moment of the soul ready to tackle whatever seizes her attention next. Ages 4–8. Agent: Conrad Rippy, Levine Plotkin & Menin. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

04/01/2017
PreS-Gr 2—Olivia, the long-eared, precocious pig in striped pajamas, decides to become a spy in order to hear her mother's many complaints about her behavior. Unfortunately, she misunderstands a half-overheard conversation and lets her imagination get the best of her, convincing herself that her parents intend to send her to prison. With a trembling lip, Olivia prepares for the worst, only to find herself at the ballet (a different sort of "institution," it seems). Falconer's trademark style is in full form. After more than 10 books, this spunky, spirited pig and her antics strike a familiar note with children and adults alike. The pages are deliberately spare, with explosive pops of teal, orange, red, and pink. The details are full of whimsy, especially Olivia's brilliant and amusing camouflage strategies. Falconer returns to his unique artistic technique, adding superimposed photos of classic architecture and artwork. VERDICT Young and old fans of Olivia, as well as those new to her antics, will adore this cautionary tale about eavesdropping. Perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.—Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA

School Library Journal

2017-01-17
That irrepressible porker is back.This time Olivia's up to espionage, or eavesdropping, or listening in on her parents' conversation—call it what you will—and misinterprets what she overhears. In typical fashion, Olivia decides she doesn't like what she's heard and sets out to "investigate." This means trying to blend in and play incognito, not an easy task given the piglet's penchant for standing out. Her teacher's innocent and well-meant explanation of an ominous-sounding word casually uttered by her dad ups the stakes to something that seems truly dire. When her mom tells her they're going on a surprise trip, Olivia can't help but imagine the worst: they're headed for—oh, no!—an institution where, no doubt, she'll be locked up for serious misdemeanors. Turns out, the dreaded place is actually New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; Olivia's going to the ballet. How lovely for Olivia, but it does seem at odds with her mother's frustration with her daughter's latest infractions. The story's thin, but, as usual, this newest installment in the popular series is full of funny bits, while adults' bewildered, clueless expressions and Olivia's earnest obliviousness in the charcoal-and-gouache illustrations are priceless. References to Julia Child and ballet terms will be above most kids' heads, and a gratuitous accidental visit to the stage instead of the restroom feels tacked-on. Once die-hard fans spy this, they'll make a grab for it. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews