Olga Takes Charge

Olga da Polga

by Michael Bond

The fourth in a series of books about the much-loved guinea-pig, Olga da Polga. Olga was in a jam. In fact, that day she had been in a number of different jams, each worse than the one before, until her mind was in such a whirl she didn't know which way to turn. Olga is a very busy guinea-pig. She attempts to save the Sawdust family from the effects of a drought, she participates in a sponsered squeak, and she even takes up jogging. But somehow she always manages to find time to delight her friends with her tall tales and far-fetched stories.

Genres: Childrens

134 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Michael Bond, CBE was an English children's author. He was the creator of Paddington Bear and wrote about the adventures of a guinea pig named Olga da Polga, as well as the animated BBC TV series The Herbs. Bond also wrote culinary mystery stories for adults featuring Monsieur Pamplemousse and his faithful bloodhound, Pommes Frites.

Reviews

[Karl Drinkwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-reading this as an adult is a weird proposition. I still love the images, but now I am a critical reader and spot things my child self would have missed. E.g. Graham the tortoise says he never gets bread, and doesn't like it (p31) - yet earlier (p10) he was eating bread greedily, and there's even a picture of it. Likewise Mr Sawdust complains that his cement is wet - yet he then sprays water all over it, which would only make it worse.

As a child, though, I liked the stories, and Olga's character, and the way her "adventures" were mostly misunderstandings and tall tales. Lovely drawings by Hans Helweg accompany them in my 1983 Puffin edition. Great for children.

[Leyda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Último libro (que yo leo, porque no he seguido el orden que debería haber seguido desde un principio) y solo puedo decir que me ha parecido fascinante.

En este libro específicamente, Olga se ve en la necesidad de contar varias historias con propósitos muy diferentes: alegrar/animar a sus amigos, demostrar que los cerdos sí que vuelan (o al menos, los cerditos de guinea o guinea pigs 😳) y demás. Me repito: A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E.

Ahora bien, la saga en general, compone una colección de historias infantiles que se quedan alojadas en el corazón, son historias que te dejan blandito y con ganas de seguir leyendo (es que quién no va a querer leer a una cobaya descubriendo lo que le aguarda la vida). Para mí, componen ese tipo de obras infantiles para adultos, porque siendo una (joven) adulta, he sido capaz de disfrutar (¡e incluso me he reído en ocasiones!) de toda la lectura. Es una colección que sin lugar a dudas me ha encantado, provocándome cierta pena por no poder volver a disfrutarla una primera vez (aunque seguramente, la volveré la leer una infinidad de veces).

[LudmilaM · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Beyond charming. Proper classic. Olga is a wonderful, fun & feisty heroine.

[Nola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the flying guinea pig illustration on page 123.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love these Olga Da Polga books! Only one more to go!