How timeless is Olivia?

“We have to free half of the human race, the women, so that they can help to free the other half.”

— Emmeline Pankhurst, suffragette

Olivia © by Ian Falconer

 This week I was having tea with some friends. Their 20-month-old baby, Heidi, upended her bowl of custard on her head, and wore it as a hat. That’s the kind of family detail that you can expect to see in an Olivia book!

Written and illustrated by Ian Falconer, Olivia is a spunky, self-opinionated piglet, described by some as a prima donna. She certainly knows her own mind, and while being a little brattish at times, is utterly charming. "It would be so boring if she was as good as gold all the time," says Falconer, who based her on his niece, Olivia.

"Even at 3," he says, "the real Olivia could argue, stonewall, bulldoze or filibuster her way through any inconvenience to achieve her goal. And always in the nicest way."

Which makes Olivia a suitably feisty role model for little girls everywhere!

There are several Olivia titles in Falconer's series, and they were always favourites to read with the boys when they were young. Even now, they never fail to put a smile on my face. Which is why I list Olivia in my Good to Read recommendations.

 

From Olivia by Ian Falconer (Atheneum 2000) | © Ian Falconer 2000

 Olivia challenges the stereotypical view of girls.

She is loud and raucous. She hammers and paints on walls; yet loves opera and ballet, and remains a very feminine pig in her choice of attire.

At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking the Olivia books date from the 1950s or 60s. Falconer revealed that his use of white space was inspired by Dr Seuss. His elegant, charcoal drawings with occasional splashes of colour also lends the books a distinctively retro feel. This is further enhanced by the character's outfits: Olivia's mother wears buttoned-up cardigans and blouses with a pencil skirt. Olivia's father always wears a shirt (tucked into his slacks).

Perhaps the overall effect is what led the Bookseller to describe Olivia as 'timeless.'

But.

Last week, when I was looking through the picture books on my shelves for examples of storybook dads, I was struck by how outdated the family dynamics in the Olivia series felt.

It was a total surprise to me. And in a way, I wish I’d never noticed.

As far as my picture book collection goes, these are the worst offenders for their negative portrayal of fathers (and, by default, mothers). I'm used to hearing that levelled at Richard Scarry books. But, I've never heard it discussed concerning the Olivia series, which seem to receive nothing but praise. Considering the first Olivia title was published in 2000, I find this surprising. \

Somehow, the unstoppable Olivia has distracted us all from the bigger picture.

 

From Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer (Atheneum 2001) | © Ian Falconer 2001

 Who is it who gets Olivia up for school? Olivia's mother.

A visit to the museum and a trip to the beach? Mother.

Who calls ‘time out’? That's right - Mother Pig again.

Bedtime stories.

A trip to the circus.

Cooking, sewing, overseeing packing for vacation, lugging the baby about, disciplining, clearing up the dishes. It all falls on Mother's hefty shoulders!

 

Detail from Olivia Goes to Venice by Ian Falconer (Atheneum 2010) | © 2010 by Ian Falconer

 

Never mind Richard Scarry's What do people do all day? I want to know what Father Pig does all day! Most of the time, he's nowhere to be seen. Off at work, presumably. Leaving Olivia's mother with all the domestic chores.

(When he does make an appearance, Olivia's father is often sitting behind his newspaper, oblivious to - or ignoring? - the ensuing chaos around him.)

Hmmm…

But wait! We learn from an aside in Olivia Saves the Circus that ‘…one time my dad took me sailing.’

Yay. Go, dad.

 

From Olivia… and the Missing Toy by Ian Falconer (Atheneum 2003) | © Ian Falconer 2003

 Despite my criticism, I am a fan of the books, which are worthy of attention and have received rave reviews.

And let’s be honest, this is how many families live. (Which is a shame, because those dads are missing out.) But even if they are at work all day providing for the family, the dad’s that I know take on a share of parental responsibilities. (I’m pleased to say it was Heidi’s dad who got up and rinsed the custard off under the kitchen tap!)

USA Today described Olivia as 'a true heroine, a female ready to take her place among the immortals of children's literature.' Given how rapidly society is changing, I wonder whether Olivia will achieve that kind of longevity and status. Could she be left on the shelf for fear of the reader being judged for tolerating what already feels (to me at least) a very outdated portrayal of families? Perhaps the Bookseller was a bit premature in describing Olivia as 'timeless.'

I hope not. Arguably, Falconer missed the opportunity to celebrate fathers, which I think is regrettable. But fair play to him - the Olivia books really are, in all other ways, class acts, boasting 'buckets of style and wit.' (The Independent). I can’t deny that, like it or not, Olivia’s father has character! And to his credit, Falconer cleverly includes some noteworthy women from history, who are role models of Olivia: Eleanor Roosevelt, Maria Callas, and Martha Graham.  

 

From Olivia… and the Missing Toy by Ian Falconer (Atheneum 2003) | © Ian Falconer 2003

 Reasons to love the Olivia books!

They are FUNNY!

The humour - pithy comments and visual jokes - is dry and central to the books. For example, when Olivia gets angry at Perry her dog for chewing up her favourite toy (Olivia… and the Missing Toy), her stack of bedtime stories is made up entirely of cat-themed books.

They are STYLISH

"There are plenty of terrific picture books, although I suppose mine look different," says Falconer. "Many have so many colours and details. Mine are clean and spare, so maybe they stick out."

They are SO WELL OBSERVED and BEAUTIFULLY DRAWN

‘Olivia is a brilliant comic creation with touches of realism that strike many chords.’ - Book of the Month, Junior.

 

If pushed came to shove, I think I’d say my favourite is 2001’s Olivia saves the circus, which adds to the nostalgic feel of the series with its parade of elephants, performing dogs and lion taming. Not very politically correct - but great fun to read! (Olivia’s account of the circus is so over the top, that Falconer can get away with it as a product of Olivia’s imagination.)

 

From Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer (Atheneum 2001) | © Ian Falconer 2001

 Finally - let's not forget the true heroine of the stories - Olivia's mother!

This great woman has chosen the noble (and traditional) role of stay at home mother (as one reviewer described her, 'a career mother'), to take care of her family. She is supportive of Olivia's father, and in many family scenarios, they appear happy together. If we were to knock her, we would be doing an injustice to generations of women.

But somehow, I can't help thinking that most mothers would rather have a partner like Daddy Rhino .

 

From Olivia helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer (Atheneum 2007) | © Ian Falconer 2007

 Sources

The top 50 most empowering feminist quotes of all time (Stylist)

Olivia by Ian Falconer (Ateneum Books for Young Readers 2000)

Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer (Atheneum Books for Young Readers 2001)

Olivia… and the Missing Toy by Ian Falconer (Atheneum Books for Young Readers 2003)

Olivia helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer (Atheneum Books for Young Readers 2007)

Olivia Goes to Venice by Ian Falconer (Atheneum Books for Young Readers 2010)

Oink if you love 'Olivia' by Bob Minzesheimer (USA Today, October 6 2003)