Olivia

Falconer, I., & Falconer, I. (2000). Olivia. New York, New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2000. ©2000.

Readability lexile: AD270L

Adult Directed - Picture books often get an AD or "Adult Directed" code. They're usually read to a child, rather than a child reading them independently. Although seemingly easy reading, some picture books actually have pretty high Lexile measures, and could present a challenging independent reading experience to an age-appropriate reader. Initially, an adult may want to read the book along with the child. 

Summary:

Whether at home getting ready for the day, enjoying the beach, or at bedtime, Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good. 

Evaluation of the text based on Donna Norton's characteristics of high quality literature (Norton, D. (2011):

This book could be used as high quality literature, because it serves for multiple avenues of learning. For example, this book could be used to teach about the meaning of the word "prepared." When Olivia goes to the beach with her mother, "she feels it's to come prepared." Students could create a list to prepare for an upcoming event like running errands, housecleaning, vacation planning, party planning, etc.

This book could also be used to teach about what students like to do on sunny, rainy, or cloudy days. Olivia's mother takes her to the beach on sunny days and to the museum on rainy days.

Also, this book could be used to talk with students about love. At the end of the book, Olivia and her mother express their love for one another. A discussion with students of ways to express love for friends and family could be a good lesson. 

In the Ten Steps for Reviewing Children's Literature by Norton, I think this book addresses relationships the best. The book talks about Olivia's relationship with her mother and her brother, Ian. 

Literary Elements:

1. Tone: Happy; Feisty; Playful.

2. Theme: A feisty pig, with loads of energy.

3. Characters: Olivia, her mother, her father, her brother, Ian, her dog, Perry, and her cat, Edwin. 

Mini-Lesson:

The lesson I would teach would be about personification. The definition of personification is "human characteristics that are attributed to an abstract quality, animal, or inanimate object." Olivia is an animal that is personified with human characteristics. 

Also, a lesson about Olivia's movements could be discussed. The page states that Olivia is very good at wearing people out. She even wears herself out. 

Target Audience: K-2

My personal reaction to this book was that I thought it was cute. I was drawn to the simplicity of the cover. As I began to read the book, I was easily drawn into Olivia's feisty personality. She is a ball of energy, which I think young readers, both boy and girl, will fall in love with.