Olivia Acts Out

Nickelodeon Olivia

by Jodie Shepherd, Patrick Spaziante (Illustrator)

Olivia is so excited when she finds out that her class is putting on a special play. Olivia is sure she'll land the leading role. But instead of getting the lead role, she is assigned the role of "Cow Number 2" and has only one line in the whole "Moo!" With her penchant for turning lemons into lemonade, and the determination and humor that's unique to Olivia, she manages to secure her place in the spotlight after all.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Fiction, Family, Animals, Juvenile

24 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Jodie Shepherd, who also writes under her real name, Leslie Kimmelman, is an award-winning author of dozens of books for children, both fiction and nonfiction. She lives in Andsley, New York.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Olivia is not excited to be cast as Cow Number 2 in the school play, but she manages to make the most of the experience. Olivia fans will appreciate her sense of drama and her desire for a bigger part; however, her upstaging her fellow cast members detracts from the message that there are no small parts.

[Krysta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shepherd tries to copy Falconer's humor and fails. Best to stick with the original Olivia books.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently Olivia the Pig now has her own television series. There are books now based on that series, or tied to it as part of a marketing campaign (depending on how you look at it) and Jodie Shepherd (who also writes a number of Backyardigan books) has been brought on board to write these books. There's also a new illustrator, Patrick Spaziante. Olivia Acts Out is one of their collaborations.

In this book, Olivia and her class are putting on a play. She wants to be the star but she ends up being a cow. Olivia goes through all sorts of efforts to put on the most memorable performance she can.

On the surface the book looks like an Olivia book and the plot basics are like an Olivia book but it lacks the heart and soul of an Olivia book as written and illustrated by Ian Falconer. Olivia isn't quite as over the top. She's not as spunky. The illustrations while more colorful are lacking the energy of Falconer's minimalist pallet (black, white, red and maybe a little green).

We bought this copy without even paying attention to who had written it. In the future I think I will steer clear of the Olivias that aren't written by Falconer.

[Gail Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can you not love Olivia? This perky, playful little porker is always up to some sort of smile provoking mischief. And often her doings also hold a lesson for young readers.

It's that time of year again at Olivia's school - time for the annual school play. Never one to under estimate her abilities Olivia is quite certain she will be given the leading role in The Fairy Queen. However, much to Olivia's distress Francine is given the role of the Fairy Queen and, oh, dear, Olivia is to be Cow Number Two. It's quite one thing to be cast as a cow but to make matter worse she has no speaking lines - all the audience will hear from Olivia is one "Moo."

Olivia is pretty downcast until her father reminds her, "Well, just remember: it's not what you say; it's how you say it."

Youngsters will enjoy the emphasis, intonations and drama Olivia is able to bring to the one syllable "Moo," and also be happily surprised to learn what Olivia comes up with to almost steal the show.

- Gail Cooke

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was quite enjoyable. Who doesn’t know a child that wants to be the center of attention? Olivia is excited to find out that there will be a play but also wants to have the leading role or one that's equally important. She learns an important lesson from her parents....."It's not what you say; it's how you say it."


Lesson: This would be in the domain of social/emotional. The teacher could form small groups to discuss how children should feel valued no matter what role or part they have in classroom activities, plays or presentation. The teacher can provide vocabulary describing the building of self-esteem and self-worth.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is there not to like about Olivia. Olivia despite being given a minor role in a school play manages to find a way to become the star of the show. The book is printed on storyboard type pages with raised and textured details to the pictures which feel two dimensional at times. A great addition to the Olivia series.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. No real flow to the story. I love Olivia but I'm a purist and prefer the Falconer books...this is written using the TV show characters and I have to agree with my colleague Zack's prior review...creepy.

[Mrs Royle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just picked this up for my daughter because she was so good this weekend! I love Olivia because it teaches children to use their imagination and dream. The illustrations are good and the book has some pictures that are pretty cute.
c: 2009 genre: fantasy

[Zack · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get past the creepiness of the illustrations.

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I prefer the original Olivia books.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I prefer Ian Falconer's version of Olivia, but this book was entertaining nonetheless.

[Sam]

cute book- if your little ones like olivia, this is a good one! olivia is always into a bit of trouble.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can you not love Olivia. She has quite the imagination. The story could have been better, but the illustrations and imagination make it worthy of 4 stars in my opinion.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia at her best!

[Brandi Streeval · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this to my daughter she loves Olivia very cute book

[K Morlando · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read with little ones

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Olivia gets a small role in the school play, she wonders how she can become the star onstage.