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Molly, Olive, and Dexter
Molly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing Game
Olive the owl is especially good at playing Guess What?, frustrating her friends in this tenderly illustrated story about an endearing trio.
Outside their home in the oak tree at the edge of the meadow, three animal friends are eager to play Olive’s favorite guessing game. “Guess what I’m thinking about,” says Dexter the fox, looking straight at his answer, giving it away. Next is Molly the hare, whose answer is easily guessed because she has pieces of it sticking out of her mouth. But when Olive the owl takes her turn, her friends are soon stumped and grumbly, ready to give up. What could be two things Olive is thinking about at the same time—things that are nearby and lovely, even lovelier than flowers? With beautifully spare, expressive watercolor illustrations, quiet humor, and a gentle text, Kate Greenaway Medalist Catherine Rayner portrays familiar toddler emotions with reassurance and charm, capturing a moment among three friends that young children will feel instantly at home with.
Outside their home in the oak tree at the edge of the meadow, three animal friends are eager to play Olive’s favorite guessing game. “Guess what I’m thinking about,” says Dexter the fox, looking straight at his answer, giving it away. Next is Molly the hare, whose answer is easily guessed because she has pieces of it sticking out of her mouth. But when Olive the owl takes her turn, her friends are soon stumped and grumbly, ready to give up. What could be two things Olive is thinking about at the same time—things that are nearby and lovely, even lovelier than flowers? With beautifully spare, expressive watercolor illustrations, quiet humor, and a gentle text, Kate Greenaway Medalist Catherine Rayner portrays familiar toddler emotions with reassurance and charm, capturing a moment among three friends that young children will feel instantly at home with.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published July 2, 2024
19 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Rayner
55 books83 followersSee also Catherine Rayner for works on the Bronte sisters
Award winning author and illustrator Catherine Rayner studied Illustration at Edinburgh College of art. She fell in love with the city and still lives there with her husband, young son and a handful of creatures: Shannon the horse, Ena the grey cat and a goldfish called Richard.
She finds huge inspiration in her pets and often uses them as models, frequently asking Ena to pose so that she can study her posture and movement. Then she translates sketches of Ena into characters such as dragons and hares, not to mention moose and bears! But it was creatures of a wilder kind that inspired her first picture book, Augustus and His Smile - Catherine spent hours and hours watching and sketching tigers (in freezing temperatures) at Edinburgh Zoo.
Winner of the 2009 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for her second book Harris Finds His Feet, Catherine has now been shortlisted four times for the award. She was also awarded the Best New Illustrator Award at the Booktrust Early Years Awards in 2006 and was named one of Booktrust’s ten Best New Illustrators in 2008. In 2010, she was the inaugural illustrator in residence at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. In 2012 Catherine’s book Iris and Isaac won the UKLA Children’s Book Award and the Dutch edition of Solomon Crocodile has been selected as PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2014 in The Netherlands by the CPNB.
Award winning author and illustrator Catherine Rayner studied Illustration at Edinburgh College of art. She fell in love with the city and still lives there with her husband, young son and a handful of creatures: Shannon the horse, Ena the grey cat and a goldfish called Richard.
She finds huge inspiration in her pets and often uses them as models, frequently asking Ena to pose so that she can study her posture and movement. Then she translates sketches of Ena into characters such as dragons and hares, not to mention moose and bears! But it was creatures of a wilder kind that inspired her first picture book, Augustus and His Smile - Catherine spent hours and hours watching and sketching tigers (in freezing temperatures) at Edinburgh Zoo.
Winner of the 2009 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for her second book Harris Finds His Feet, Catherine has now been shortlisted four times for the award. She was also awarded the Best New Illustrator Award at the Booktrust Early Years Awards in 2006 and was named one of Booktrust’s ten Best New Illustrators in 2008. In 2010, she was the inaugural illustrator in residence at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. In 2012 Catherine’s book Iris and Isaac won the UKLA Children’s Book Award and the Dutch edition of Solomon Crocodile has been selected as PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2014 in The Netherlands by the CPNB.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 6, 2024
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Molly (a hare), Ollie (an owl), and Dexter (a fox), are unlikely friends, but spend their days blissfully playing in a gorgeous forest. In a previous volume, they played hide and seek, but have now turned their attention to their version of I Spy. Some of the answers are easy, like the sky that Dexter is looking at, or the grass that Molly has in her mouth. When Ollie says that he is thinking about TWO things, Molly and Dexter are thrown into confusion. Is it two leaves? Two clouds? Ollie says that both of the things are "lovely", so the friends turn their guesses to flowers and butterflies. Unable to get the right answer, the two are frustrated, and Ollie tells them to think harder about the two loveliest things in the world. The friends are stumped until they look at each other... and realize that Ollie is talking about THEM.
The illustrations on this are absolutely exquisite. There's subtle layering that adds a feeling of depth and movement, and this is highlighted even more on the cover, where there are some glittery foil branches. Rayner has a distinctive style, and I'm not surprised that she has her own line of greetings cards. Something about her illustrations made me think of 1970s Current Catalog artists like Ruth Morehead.
The animals are quite engaging, with animated faces and delicate whiskers. The trees and background don't overpower the animals, but the attention to detail on the leaves really distracted me. I could easily see an entire nursery decorated in the style of this book.
The text is short, and young readers will probably guess what the loveliest two things are before Molly and Dexter do. This seems like the sort of book that will be a fast favorite, so prepare for multiple readings if you introduce this to a young person in your life.
I'm a sucker for books with adorable forest animals, like Hendrick and Scott's Forest Friends Sleep, Banks' The Winter Bird, Volpe's Before We Sleep, or even McBratney and Jeram's Guess How Much I Love You, which may involve cousins of Molly's. There's something particularly soothing and "lovely" about reading stories which involves cuddly versions of forest creatures getting along together and having adventures.
Molly (a hare), Ollie (an owl), and Dexter (a fox), are unlikely friends, but spend their days blissfully playing in a gorgeous forest. In a previous volume, they played hide and seek, but have now turned their attention to their version of I Spy. Some of the answers are easy, like the sky that Dexter is looking at, or the grass that Molly has in her mouth. When Ollie says that he is thinking about TWO things, Molly and Dexter are thrown into confusion. Is it two leaves? Two clouds? Ollie says that both of the things are "lovely", so the friends turn their guesses to flowers and butterflies. Unable to get the right answer, the two are frustrated, and Ollie tells them to think harder about the two loveliest things in the world. The friends are stumped until they look at each other... and realize that Ollie is talking about THEM.
The illustrations on this are absolutely exquisite. There's subtle layering that adds a feeling of depth and movement, and this is highlighted even more on the cover, where there are some glittery foil branches. Rayner has a distinctive style, and I'm not surprised that she has her own line of greetings cards. Something about her illustrations made me think of 1970s Current Catalog artists like Ruth Morehead.
The animals are quite engaging, with animated faces and delicate whiskers. The trees and background don't overpower the animals, but the attention to detail on the leaves really distracted me. I could easily see an entire nursery decorated in the style of this book.
The text is short, and young readers will probably guess what the loveliest two things are before Molly and Dexter do. This seems like the sort of book that will be a fast favorite, so prepare for multiple readings if you introduce this to a young person in your life.
I'm a sucker for books with adorable forest animals, like Hendrick and Scott's Forest Friends Sleep, Banks' The Winter Bird, Volpe's Before We Sleep, or even McBratney and Jeram's Guess How Much I Love You, which may involve cousins of Molly's. There's something particularly soothing and "lovely" about reading stories which involves cuddly versions of forest creatures getting along together and having adventures.
November 19, 2024
The newest in the Molly, Olive, and Dexter series of children’s books shows the animal friends trying to guess what each other is thinking about. The cover alone sold me on this book. The animal illustrations are so sweet. The gold leaf added to the illustrated cover also adds a nice touch.
Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox enjoy their days playing around the big oak tree in the meadow where they live. Olive suggests that they play a guessing game, guessing what each one of them is thinking about. Dexter goes first but gives it away by looking at the sky while thinking about it. Molly also isn’t very good at hiding her thoughts because she has a mouthful of grass while she is thinking about it. When it is Olive’s turn, she stumps the two friends and they nearly give up until Olive gives them a clue.
This sweet friendship story reminds kids that sometimes the joy of playing a game and spending time with your friends is all part of the fun, not the winning. This particular guessing game took a bit of teamwork for Molly and Dexter but that made the guessing game even more fun.
Rayner’s illustrations are adorable and her artwork as well as clothing items with her art on them are available for purchase on her website. You can also find numerous activity sheets created by the author there.
Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox enjoy their days playing around the big oak tree in the meadow where they live. Olive suggests that they play a guessing game, guessing what each one of them is thinking about. Dexter goes first but gives it away by looking at the sky while thinking about it. Molly also isn’t very good at hiding her thoughts because she has a mouthful of grass while she is thinking about it. When it is Olive’s turn, she stumps the two friends and they nearly give up until Olive gives them a clue.
This sweet friendship story reminds kids that sometimes the joy of playing a game and spending time with your friends is all part of the fun, not the winning. This particular guessing game took a bit of teamwork for Molly and Dexter but that made the guessing game even more fun.
Rayner’s illustrations are adorable and her artwork as well as clothing items with her art on them are available for purchase on her website. You can also find numerous activity sheets created by the author there.
October 1, 2024
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Come Guess with Me!
This is a sweet story about three animal friends playing a game in the forest. The game moves quickly as two of them try to guess what the third one is thinking. That is, it goes fast until it is Olive’s turn.
Even though Olive gives hints such as she is thinking of two things, or it is lovelier than flowers, Molly and Dexter are stumped for an answer. Because of that, they want to end the game.
Ask your little one if they know the answer. Children love to take part in stories, so help them figure it out.
This story is a real charmer, perfect for children birth through five-years-old, with a feel-good ending.
The tenderhearted illustrations are perfect for this tale, and both readers and children, alike will find this five-star book delightful!
Thank you, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.
Come Guess with Me!
This is a sweet story about three animal friends playing a game in the forest. The game moves quickly as two of them try to guess what the third one is thinking. That is, it goes fast until it is Olive’s turn.
Even though Olive gives hints such as she is thinking of two things, or it is lovelier than flowers, Molly and Dexter are stumped for an answer. Because of that, they want to end the game.
Ask your little one if they know the answer. Children love to take part in stories, so help them figure it out.
This story is a real charmer, perfect for children birth through five-years-old, with a feel-good ending.
The tenderhearted illustrations are perfect for this tale, and both readers and children, alike will find this five-star book delightful!
Thank you, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.
November 27, 2023
These are the illustrations I want in all my books. I don't care about the genre, age category or subject matter: give me all the animal, pastel watercolours!
The story is sweet, brimming with friendship and good feeling as three friends play a guessing game together (it's basically I-Spy). In any case, the good natured fun and beautiful illustrations do all the work here in this stunning picture book. Simple, but utterly beautifully presented.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
The story is sweet, brimming with friendship and good feeling as three friends play a guessing game together (it's basically I-Spy). In any case, the good natured fun and beautiful illustrations do all the work here in this stunning picture book. Simple, but utterly beautifully presented.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2024
What a lovely book! Both the story and illustrations are adorable. It's a soft reminder that friends can remind us that we're lovely, "even lovelier than flowers."
Wow, these pictures are just so cute, or I suppose, "lovely" as Olive the owl would say.
I think preschoolers and lower elementary students may have a fun time trying to guess along with two of our lead characters (and a few of them may guess correctly before our leads do).
Wow, these pictures are just so cute, or I suppose, "lovely" as Olive the owl would say.
I think preschoolers and lower elementary students may have a fun time trying to guess along with two of our lead characters (and a few of them may guess correctly before our leads do).
September 10, 2024
A bunny, an owl, and a fox take friendship to a new level when playing a version of "I Spy" called "The Guessing Game." Beautifully illustrated in watercolors and delicate drawings, Molly, Olive, and Dexter take turns posing a "guess what" question to the other two critters who in turn try to guess.
I just absolutely love this charming book.
I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
I just absolutely love this charming book.
I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
August 9, 2024
3.5 stars. Another sweet story about Molly the hare, Olive the owl and Dexter the squirrel. This time they play a guessing game. Can you guess what they're thinking before the animal friends do?
September 13, 2024
This book is full of friendship, fun & wonderful illustrations! This will be a good book for preschoolers and early elementary school! They will have trying to guess the mystery and learn that friends can always find a way to make you feel good about yourself!
December 30, 2024
I loved this book! The illustrations were fabulous. I liked the simple story of the three friends playing a game. It'll be a fun one to read with littles to see if they can guess what Olive's thinking of.
July 12, 2024
Would be great for a toddler-time or younger storytime, to see if some of the kids could guess it before the characters do. Nice length for a second or third story.
July 30, 2024
Found in L4L Volume 122.
August 5, 2024
Rayner's illustrations are simply lovely
August 9, 2024
Lovely mixed media illustrations dominated by watercolor.
Read
September 13, 2024Catherine Rayner is one of my absolute favorite illustrators. This is another example of just how lovely her artwork is. A beautiful book.
November 1, 2024
Leuk boek dat tot de verbeelding spreekt
November 2, 2024
FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOX
December 31, 2024
Exquisite illustrations support the gentle text of this enchanting picture book. Guaranteed to become a firm bedtime favourite with parents and children alike.
April 14, 2025
4/13/25: Really cute picture book with beautiful illustrations for the younger picture book crowd. I liked this one a lot.
May 11, 2025
Good read aloud story.
Read
June 5, 2025cute friends acknowledgement story
September 4, 2025
they two lovely things olive was thinking about being molly and dexter i’m so emo this is too cute
February 18, 2024
4 stars
I read a digital advance copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss
Molly, Olive, and Dexter are three woodland friends. Molly is a hare. Olive is an owl. And Dexter is a fox. Olive loves guessing games and the three friends guess what one another is thinking of. Olive easily guesses what the other two are thinking of but they are stumped when it's Olive 's turn. The gentle illustrations add to the portrayal of the friendship and make the scenes very realistic.
I read a digital advance copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss
Molly, Olive, and Dexter are three woodland friends. Molly is a hare. Olive is an owl. And Dexter is a fox. Olive loves guessing games and the three friends guess what one another is thinking of. Olive easily guesses what the other two are thinking of but they are stumped when it's Olive 's turn. The gentle illustrations add to the portrayal of the friendship and make the scenes very realistic.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews