Olivia

Ian Falconer (2000), 32 pages

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: picture book and television show

Falconer first introduced Olivia, a spunky confident, and precocious little piglet in 2000 and it was love at first read! Through a very limited palette of charcoal grays and splashes of red, Falconer invites us into Olivia’s world; a world where she imagines all kinds of things (like singing at the opera, painting masterpieces, building sandcastles, etc). From the onset, Olivia is lively, self-assured, and “good at a lot of things” --her personality and charm materialize page after page. She has so much energy sometimes, she wears her mother out, but her mother loves her anyway and Olivia replies: “I love you anyway too.” She also has a passion for books often negotiating with her parents how many bedtime stories she’ll get (print motivation) … a great read for a spirited youngster! Winning a Caldecott Honor in 2001 launched this fun-loving character into popularity and now ten years later has become a bestselling series. Falconer has authored several other Olivia-themes books which have since inspired a television show, products, a website (recipes, games, activities), even a fan club.

Olivia, the television show (based on Falconer’s picture books) produced by Chorion began airing episodes in 2009. The animated series focuses primarily on Olivia and her family. Characters include Mom, Dad, brother Ian, baby brother William, cat Edwin and dog Perry, and others, such as school classmates, teacher, grandmother, etc). Plots focus on typical family life, Olivia’s daydreaming adventures, talents, and behavior. This show captures Olivia’s independent spirit, affinity for red clothing, active imagination, and ingenuity well –and yes, she still manages to be full of opinions too! Frequently Olivia quotes her life lessons or “rules of life.” For instance, in episode Olivia and the Crystal Ball she tries to hid baby William unsuccessfully … resulting in “Rule #4: If you really want to hide your baby brother, change his diaper first.” Released in 15-30 minute segments, this program is easy viewing for preschoolers. In addition, each episode includes two shorts (usually small clips of amusing or funny vignettes). Olivia’s outgoing nature and exuberance is infectious. Whether read as a storybook or viewed online, Olivia is a character young children everywhere will enjoy!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans, Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird, Eloise by Kay Thompson, or Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor

Other books by this author: Olivia Saves the Circus, Olivia … and the Missing Toy, Olivia Forms a Band, Olivia Counts, Olivia’s Opposites, Olivia Helps with Christmas, and Olivia Goes to Venice

If you liked this television show, you may like: Max and Ruby, The Backyardigans, or Ni Hao Kai-Lan

Between the Lions

PBS Kids (2000-2011), 30 minutes

Audience: Pre-K

Format: television show and website

Funded by the Corporation of Public Broadcasting and the U.S. Department of Education’s Ready to Learn grant, PBS Kids produces a variety of television shows for children with an emphasis on reading and early literacy skills, such as Between the Lions, a puppet show featuring a family of literate lions. Main characters Lionel and Leona (cubs) and their parents read a couple stories (examples include Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and I miss you Stinky Face) whilst intersected by other animated vignettes highlighting certain letters, words, and vocabulary from supplemental character skits such as Gawain’s Word, Information Hen, and Word Cup Masters. Using puppetry and simple animation –this show manages to be both educational and entertaining.

As an accompaniment or supplementary tool to their television programming, PBS Kids offers companion computer games that foster literacy skills. Kids can try several Between the Lions inspired games, examples include Fuzzy Lion Ears (kids can pretend they have fuzzy lion ears –listening to words they can match the missing sound to the correct letter and make the word whole again), Pounce! (children can practice word matching by “pouncing” or clicking on each appropriate word) or Word Play (where words are displayed and animated to act out their meaning –for instance the word “vanish” actually disappears or the word “pop” bursts off the screen). Combining clear instructions with a simple interface makes digital games easy to use and appropriate for young children. Although interactive games can be simulating for kids and engage their literacy skills, parental involvement cannot be circumnavigated; parents are still encouraged to model these skills.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this TV show, you may like: Reading Rainbow, Olivia, Sesame Street, or Toddworld

Other television shows by PBS Kids: Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Caillou, Sid the Science Kid, WordGirl, and The Electric Company

Super Why!

PBS Kids (2007-present), 24 minutes

Audience: pre-K

Format: television show

PBS Kids’ Super Why! stages a quartet of characters: Whyatt, Pig, Red Riding Hood, and Princess Pea who have adventures in Storybook Land. These friends transform into Super Readers with reading readiness powers: Alpha-Pig, Wonder Red (word power), Princess Presto (spelling) and Super Why (power to read) as they search out clues and solve problems using words, letters, and reading skills. This program asks for viewer participation using open-ended questions to add interactive elements, examples include “what letter comes after P?” and “what sound does “F” make?” These prompting techniques can be beneficial, helping to build a child’s vocabulary and phonemic awareness.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this TV show, you may like: Blue’s Clues or Dora the Explorer

Other television shows by PBS Kids: Word World, Martha Speaks, and The Cat and the Hat Know a Lot About That!