Olivia...and the Missing Toy

I have to admit, I am an Olivia fan. There is something about this pugnacious pig full of personality that I enjoy, as well as the illustrations by Ian Falconer. In Olivia...and the Missing Toy, Olivia dares to be different by asking her mom to make her soccer uniform in a different color than her teammates...then she discovers, her best toy is missing! After searching everywhere and accusing her baby brother, who responds, "Wooshee gaga", she discovers her toy on a "dark and stormy night". At this point, the book introduces the right amount of scariness and suspense for young children, as well as Olivia's bravery. Olivia discovers her dog Perry chewed her beloved toy.

The only part of this book that I dislike is her father's response to the toy tragedy. Looking up from his newspaper, he responds, "Don't worry...Tomorrow we'll go get you the very best toy in the whole world."

Olivia replies, "Oh, thank you, Daddy. I love you more than anyone."

Every parent has been in the situation where they have just wanted to buy their way out of their children's sorrow, but I feel this teaches children the wrong way to solve problems. I also would be upset if my children expressed their love for someone over other family members just because they offered to buy them a toy. In the end, Olivia solves the problem in the best manner possible: She fixes her toy and forgives her dog (after reading only cat stories at bedtime).

I just love the photograph of Martha Graham hanging on the wall of Olivia's house!