Olivia and the Fairy Princesses

Brief Description: "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! What will she be? Join Olivia on a hilarious quest for individuality in this latest book of the OLIVIA series, and rest assured, you won't find THIS pig in pink!"--Brief Description: 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! What will she be? Full color. Review Quotes: "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."Review Quotes: 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 2012Review Quotes: "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."Review Quotes: "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."Review Quotes: * "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."Review Quotes: "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."Review Quotes: "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."Review Quotes: "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."Marc Notes: ; 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! What will she be? Join Olivia on a hilarious quest for individuality in this latest book of the OLIVIA series, and rest assured, you won't find THIS pig in pink!--; Provided by publisher.. Review Quotes: "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 2012Publisher Marketing: 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! Review Citations:

Publishers Weekly 06/04/2012 pg. 51 (EAN 9781442450271, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2012 (EAN 9781442450271, Hardcover)

Booklist 08/01/2012 pg. 84 (EAN 9781442450271, Hardcover)

School Library Journal 08/01/2012 pg. 72 (EAN 9781442450271, Hardcover)

New York Times Book Review 08/26/2012 pg. 14 (EAN 9781442450271, Hardcover)

Shelf Awareness 08/28/2012 (EAN 9781442450271, Hardcover)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2012 (EAN 9781442450271, Hardcover)

Publishers Weekly Best Books 11/05/2012 pg. 36 (EAN 9781442450271, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2013 pg. 28 (EAN 9781442450271, Hardcover)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2012 (EAN 9781442450288, Portable Document Format (PDF))

Contributor Bio:  Falconer, Ian 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 Los Angeles.