Olivia
Author: Ian Falconer
Illustrator: Ian Falconer
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Date: 2000
Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book, Caldecott Honor book (2001)
Ages: 3-7
Topics: pigs, behavior
Summary: Whether at home getting ready for the day, enjoying the beach, or at bedtime, Olivia is a feisty pig who has lots of energy. Share particularly likes art and music.
Book Connections
- Olivia from Wikipedia
Topic Connections
Art
- Paintings
- Edgar Degas
- MOMA: Degas (Dance Class)
- Edgar Degas
- Degas from Web Museum
- Degas and the Dance from PBS
- Degas from Wikipedia
- Jackson Pollock
- MOMA: Autumn Rhythm
- Pollock from Web Museum
- Pollock-Krasner House
- Pollock from Wikipedia
- Sandcastles from Wikipedia
Music
- Maria Callas
- Callas EMI Classics
- Callas on YouTube
- Callas from Wikipedia
Pigs
- Pigs from Wikipedia
- Pig Pictures from Wikimedia Commons
- Pigs from Enchanted Learning
- Pigs as Pets
- Port 4 Kids
- All About Pigs
- Take a Farm Tour from Pork 4 Kids
- The Joy of Pigs from Nature and PBS
Learning Connections
- Decisions, Decisions. Think about the decisions that Olivia makes in the story. Did she make good or poor choices? Create a concept map showing her good and bad ideas.
- Pig or Person. Olivia is a pig but she acts like a person. How are you like and unlike Olivia?
- Pigs in Fiction. Compare the pigs in this book to other pigs in fiction. Use the list of fictional pigs from Wikipedia to get started.
- Paint Like Pollock. Try the Jackson Pollock simulation. Have some fun!
- Artists as Inspiration. Olivia likes the paintings of Degas. She doesn't understand the work of Pollock. What's your favorite painting and artist? Why? Use your favorite painting as inspiration for your own painting.
- Dreaming of Callas. Olivia has dreams of Maria Callas. Listen to a song by Callas. What do you think? Would you like to be a singer? What kinds of songs would you like to sing?
- Sandcastle. Build your own sandcastle.
- I'm a Stamp! Examine the Children's Book Animals on the US Postage stamp.
Teaching Connections
- Try Lessons
- Try the WebQuest:
Learn More
Do a Thinkfinity search for lessons related to this topics in this book.