Synopses & Reviews
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
"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." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"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
Review
"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." Booklist
Review
"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." Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
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, Olivia Forms a Band, Olivia Helps with Christmas, Olivia Goes to Venice, and Olivia and the Fairy Princesses. 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.