Olivia Loves Owl

Starred review from July 11, 2016
Fourth in a series of books that includes Ben Loves Bear and Peter Loves Penguin, this placid story follows a brown-skinned girl and her doting toy owl through a day. McPhail’s soft paintings evoke an early-autumn setting, and while “Owl has feathers” to stay warm, “Olivia has a sweater.” Outside they jump around in piles of leaves (“Olivia flies through the air. Owl flies higher”) and pick apples before heading back inside, preparing for bed. It’s another tender study of a busy, parent-free day and a doting friendship. Owl’s nocturnal nature lets him serve as a kind of overnight watchman as Olivia sleeps, a comforting detail to end on. Up to age 3. Agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

January 1, 2017
Following the formula established in Ben Loves Bear (2013), Bella Loves Bunny (2013), and Peter Loves Penguin (2014), McPhail here completes his board-book tour of the seasons. A little girl moves through an autumn day with her well-loved stuffed owl, picking apples and playing in piles of colorful leaves. Tired after this simple adventure, Olivia goes inside to wish upon a star and drift off to sleep, guarded by her vigilant friend roosting at the foot of the bed. Simple text contrasts Olivia's and Owl's activities. That the owl is a toy is initially unclear, but any child who has a beloved stuffed companion will quickly recognize the bond between the two. Unlike the other children featured in the series, who are all blond and white, Olivia's race and ethnicity are unclear. Her skin is light brown; her dark brown hair is pulled into thick, curly pigtails. Her toys, shown on the first spread, are refreshingly androgynous. Apparently she plays with trucks and blocks as well as dolls and stuffed animals. These choices make this offering accessible to a broad range of children. The image of Olivia reading in bed before drifting off to sleep will warm the hearts of book-loving adults. McPhail's soft but unsentimental pen-and-ink drawings completed with muted watercolors strike a pleasant balance between real toddler activities and imaginative play. (Board book. 1-4)

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August 1, 2016

Toddler-PreS-McPhail gives children a delightful story of friendship between a young girl and her stuffed animal. Olivia and Owl spend a beautiful autumn day together sharing outdoor experiences, such as jumping in piles of leaves and looking for apples on a tree. Their differences do not interfere with their loving and caring friendship ("Olivia gets tired. Owl is wide awake.") but instead allow for Owl to show his protective nature as he sits and watches the child sleep. McPhail's classic watercolor illustrations create a warm environment for mild preschool adventures. VERDICT A wonderful read-aloud for a toddler storytime as well as a perfect bedtime tale for the youngest nature lovers. A sweet addition to any board book collection.-Kristen Todd-Wurm, Middle Country Public Library, NY

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