Each book in the series explores the use of another signature color in addition to the original black, white and red images. Seuss, Falconer chose to draw uncluttered images in black and white with the occasional splash of red, along with the insertion of real artwork by famous artists - Degas and Pollock, for example. The series is different from many children's picture books because of its stark minimalism. 'I wanted to make a little present for her, so I started working on the Olivia book.' 'I was just entranced by her,' he stated. The Olivia book series was inspired by Ian Falconer's niece, Olivia.

An American- British- Irish computer animated television series of the same name inspired by the character premiered in 2009. Olivia is a fictional pig character in a series of children's picture books written and illustrated by Ian Falconer, the first entry of which was published in 2000. Once again the diva pig in her red striped outfit takes center stage.Olivia the pig, as seen on the cover of the first book. Small children will connect with Olivia in no time and parents will remember all too well an occasion when they had to search the house for some favorite toy that went missing for several terrible hours.Ĭlear, sharp illustrations rendered in charcoal and touched with splashed of red and green paint fill the pages, delighting the reader with their originality. Through Olivia’s actions, her words, and the clever artwork we see that this is indeed a rather tragic event in the life of the little girl pig, one which cannot, indeed should not, be dismissed or trivialized. The author clearly understands how Olivia feels when her favorite toy goes missing. This Olivia title is both deliciously funny and it is also very sympathetic. She even finds it in her heart to forgive Perry for his chewing indiscretions.

Not surprisingly Olivia is furious and upset but she is also the kind of little girl pig who rises to the challenge and who finds a solution to her problem. The poor toy is in pieces for Perry the dog has chewed it. Olivia is delighted with the result until she discovers something dreadful – her favorite toy is missing.ĭevastated and distraught by her loss Olivia searches everywhere for her toy. So, being a very kind and understanding person, Olivia’s mother sits down at the sewing machine and makes Olivia a red one – red being Olivia’s favorite color. The problem is that the jersey she has to wear for practice is a dreadful green color.

Olivia and the missing toy book