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Olivia Forms a Band

by Ian Falconer

Olivia Forms a Band Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Everyone's favorite Caldecott-winning porcine diva is back and with fanfare! There are going to be fireworks tonight, and Olivia can hardly wait to hear the band. But when she finds out that there isn't going to be a band, she can't understand why not. How can there be fireworks without a band?! And so Olivia sets to putting a band together herself...all by herself. Using pots, pans, her brother's toys, and even her father's suspenders, Olivia forms a band spectacular enough to startle any audience. Lavishly brought to life in Ian Falconer's signature style, and introducing an eye-catching shade of blue, here is Olivia doing what Olivia does best — making noise.

Review:

"After demonstrating that she could perform in not one but all of the star attractions under the Big Top in Olivia Saves the Circus, the hoofed heroine here proves that she can be a one-piglet band. When Olivia discovers that there will be no band to accompany the summer fireworks, she announces, 'I know! We'll be the band!' Once more, Falconer's mastery of detail and pacing results in outlandish comedy. On the left, a stop-action scene conveys the family's response — a wide-eyed look of panic; on the right-hand page, cat and dog take off in opposite directions, baby William crawls away, and Olivia's father hides behind a newspaper. ' 'Fine,' said Olivia. 'I'll be the band.' ' Falconer again uses his signature vignettes to comical effect in a kind of comic strip succession, as Olivia, sporting a red polka-dot union suit, gives baby William a bottle in exchange for his xylophone, and trades toddler Ian a cookie jar for his drum; a show-stopping sextet of spot illustrations depicts Olivia removing her father's suspenders to reveal red polka-dot boxers ('Look, Daddy, we're twins'). When Olivia emerges as a multi-tasking piglet in a sky-blue striped unitard, Daddy's suspenders (they hold the xylophone and drum in place) and a pot lid on each foot, a gatefold exhibits fantasy images of Olivia as drummer, flautist, tuba player and more, beneath four-plus measures of classic marching music. The band may not have made it to the picnic, but Olivia gets the last laugh — and so do readers. Another crowd-pleasing performance for the porcine starlet and her creator. Ages 3-7. (June)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"So consummately consistent are Falconer's characterizations and so perceptive are Olivia's constant fans, that every deft facial nuance will be met with squeals of approval for the most popular pig in America — and her long-suffering mother." Kirkus Reviews

Synopsis:

Lavishly brought to life in Falconer's signature style, and introducing an eye-catching shade of blue, here is Olivia doing what Olivia does best--making noise. Full color.

About the Author

Falconer is a painter and illustrator. He has designed sets and costumes for the New York City Ballet, the San Francisco Opera, and the Royal Opera House, and Covent Garden.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
2izzsmom, November 30, 2006 (view all comments by 2izzsmom)
I LOVE OLIVIA. Ian Falconer captures the inner working of a child's mind and the dynamics of being in a house with small children so piognantly. My son loves Olivia too. They are fun books to read aloud and great books to ask questions to strengthen comprehension skills. The illustrations are a key component ot the story, the expressions on the mother's face and the thought bubbles, too cute! I found myself reading this in the bookstore and laughing out loud before I put it in the cart. The Olivia series is awesome!
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enbee1, August 25, 2006 (view all comments by enbee1)
Very entertaining read! My 2-year-old daughter likes making her own marching bands too, and found this story very engrossing. Lots of nice details of family life, and fun fireworks for great parent-added sound effects. The illustrations tell a lot of the subtle aspects of the story, allowing for lots of interaction. My only complaint is a strange interlude in which Olivia goes hog wild with her mother's lipstick. Although personally I found the illustrations for that part of the story absolutely fantastically hilarious, my daughter now puts on chapstick for ten minutes straight. A much-requested story at our house! Just hide the makeup and brace yourself for your own household marching band.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781416924548
Author:
Falconer, Ian
Publisher:
Atheneum Books
Subject:
Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks
Subject:
Family
Subject:
Family life
Subject:
Humorous Stories
Subject:
Holidays & Festivals - Other - Non-religious
Subject:
Animals - Pigs
Subject:
Performing Arts - Music
Subject:
Holidays & Celebrations - Other, Nonreligious
Copyright:
Edition Description:
B221
Publication Date:
June 2006
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
Children/juvenile
Language:
English
Illustrations:
YES
Pages:
50
Dimensions:
11 x 8.5 in
Children's Book Type:
Picture / Wordless
Age Level:
3-7

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