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Olga da Polga
The Complete Adventures of Olga Da Polga
Recounts how Olga is adopted by the sawdust family, meets Boris, the guinea pig of her dreams, earns a medal for bravery, and attempts to end a drought
511 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1974
13 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Michael Bond
629 books406 followersMichael 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
January 31, 2024
The Tales of Olga da Polga is an utterly charming children's book from 1971 by Michael Bond, an award-winning author more famous for his stories about Paddington Bear, who first made his appearance in 1958. These stories, however, all feature Olga da Polga, a self-important, mischievous and imaginative guinea pig, who loves telling wildly exaggerated tales about her experiences to her friends.
We are introduced to Olga da Polga in the early part of her life, when she is one of many guinea pigs in a pet shop. From the start it is clear that the stories comprise not only fantasy, but also accurate observation about how guinea pigs behave, and are cared for. Although it is written as a fantastical tale from an animal's point of view, it reveals a good insight into how and why this particular species (guinea pig or cavey) behaves. It would be a lovely and enjoyable read for a child who is about to become the owner of a guinea pig, as well as those who are already enthusiastic about animals. For children who love stories, this would be a perfect addition to a factual instructive primer. The housing, treatment and conditions Olga da Polga is kept in are ideal for a pet guinea pig, and clearly described as part of the story, and the animal's reactions to them are quite authentic.
It comes as no surprise to the reader that Michael Bond owned three guinea pigs as a child himself, (called "Pip", "Squeak" and "Wilfred") and made up stories about them later to tell to his daughter. The character of Olga da Polga is herself based on a guinea pig belonging to Michael Bond's daughter Karen. The real life Karen also features in the book as the character Karen Sawdust, who understands Olga da Polga better than her parents do, kind though they are. It is Karen who notices things like the fact that Olga da Polga has written her name in her pen, so that her family should not call her by a different one. Also interesting, for anyone who keeps guinea pigs, is the fact that Michael Bond became great friends with Peter Gurney, when he treated Karen's guinea pig, who had been the inspiration for Olga da Polga. Peter Gurney has been acknowledged as one of the world's experts in guinea pig welfare and care, having campaigned for most of his life for better knowledge and training of small animals within the British veterinary profession. His excellent book, "The Proper Care of Guinea Pigs" is the benchmark for owners and breeders, and also some vets.
Other characters in the tales are also possibly based on real life animals. There is Noel, Karen's pet black cat. Implausibly, he is Olga da Polga's friend, but otherwise, he behaves in the stories exactly as a cat would. He is sly, and because he is free to enter and leave the house as he pleases, the other animals consider him to be knowledgeable about how the world works. He is sceptical of Olga's Baron Münchhausen-like tales, claiming not to believe them, but he still often listens to them with great attention.
Another main character is Graham, the tortoise, who dislikes being picked up and put upside down, just as Olga da Polga does. He is very slow, as tortoises are, but is shown to have a unique perspective on life.
There is also Fangio, a hedgehog with Argentinian blood, who sometimes stays in a box in the Sawdust family's garage, being fed on bread and milk. He becomes a good friend of Olga da Polga, and invites her to break out of her confinement and experience "freedom". She visits his home in the "Elysian Fields", but in the course of doing so, realises just how different the two creatures are. She finds that his so-called paradise is just a patch of waste land beyond the shrubbery, dank, dark, dirty - and full of insects and worms, which she shudderingly discovers, Fangio loves.
The Tales of Olga da Polga consists of thirteen short tales, with imaginative titles such as "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Guinea-Pig" and "The Night of the Moon Rockets". They are simply told, and school-age children would be soon able to read them for themselves. Alternatively, they are short enough to make ideal bedtime stories read aloud by an adult. In the edition reviewed here, from 2011, there are humorous pen and watercolour wash illustrations by Catherine Rayner, who reports that she herself loved the stories when she was a child.
This collection was so popular when it was first published that it sparked a host of sequels, all of which you can be sure this reviewer will track down, and read with a big fat smile on her face. Michael Bond has been awarded the OBE for his services to children's literature. Catherine Rayner has been awarded the prestigious Kate Greenaway medal for her picture books. They are well deserved. This book is a delight from start to finish. My personal favourite out of the stories is a so-called myth from Peru, invented by Olga da Polga. In it, she explains that in common with nearly all mammals, guinea pigs used to have tails. But due to a noble act (which I will not spoil by telling you about) they sacrificed them and were awarded their rosettes. Olga da Polga's rosettes are whimsically highlighted throughout Catherine Rayner's cartoon-like illustrations, all of which are beautifully quirky, and stylised.
""Wheeee! Wheeeeee! Wheeeeeeeee!"
And really, there was nothing more to be said."
We are introduced to Olga da Polga in the early part of her life, when she is one of many guinea pigs in a pet shop. From the start it is clear that the stories comprise not only fantasy, but also accurate observation about how guinea pigs behave, and are cared for. Although it is written as a fantastical tale from an animal's point of view, it reveals a good insight into how and why this particular species (guinea pig or cavey) behaves. It would be a lovely and enjoyable read for a child who is about to become the owner of a guinea pig, as well as those who are already enthusiastic about animals. For children who love stories, this would be a perfect addition to a factual instructive primer. The housing, treatment and conditions Olga da Polga is kept in are ideal for a pet guinea pig, and clearly described as part of the story, and the animal's reactions to them are quite authentic.
It comes as no surprise to the reader that Michael Bond owned three guinea pigs as a child himself, (called "Pip", "Squeak" and "Wilfred") and made up stories about them later to tell to his daughter. The character of Olga da Polga is herself based on a guinea pig belonging to Michael Bond's daughter Karen. The real life Karen also features in the book as the character Karen Sawdust, who understands Olga da Polga better than her parents do, kind though they are. It is Karen who notices things like the fact that Olga da Polga has written her name in her pen, so that her family should not call her by a different one. Also interesting, for anyone who keeps guinea pigs, is the fact that Michael Bond became great friends with Peter Gurney, when he treated Karen's guinea pig, who had been the inspiration for Olga da Polga. Peter Gurney has been acknowledged as one of the world's experts in guinea pig welfare and care, having campaigned for most of his life for better knowledge and training of small animals within the British veterinary profession. His excellent book, "The Proper Care of Guinea Pigs" is the benchmark for owners and breeders, and also some vets.
Other characters in the tales are also possibly based on real life animals. There is Noel, Karen's pet black cat. Implausibly, he is Olga da Polga's friend, but otherwise, he behaves in the stories exactly as a cat would. He is sly, and because he is free to enter and leave the house as he pleases, the other animals consider him to be knowledgeable about how the world works. He is sceptical of Olga's Baron Münchhausen-like tales, claiming not to believe them, but he still often listens to them with great attention.
Another main character is Graham, the tortoise, who dislikes being picked up and put upside down, just as Olga da Polga does. He is very slow, as tortoises are, but is shown to have a unique perspective on life.
There is also Fangio, a hedgehog with Argentinian blood, who sometimes stays in a box in the Sawdust family's garage, being fed on bread and milk. He becomes a good friend of Olga da Polga, and invites her to break out of her confinement and experience "freedom". She visits his home in the "Elysian Fields", but in the course of doing so, realises just how different the two creatures are. She finds that his so-called paradise is just a patch of waste land beyond the shrubbery, dank, dark, dirty - and full of insects and worms, which she shudderingly discovers, Fangio loves.
The Tales of Olga da Polga consists of thirteen short tales, with imaginative titles such as "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Guinea-Pig" and "The Night of the Moon Rockets". They are simply told, and school-age children would be soon able to read them for themselves. Alternatively, they are short enough to make ideal bedtime stories read aloud by an adult. In the edition reviewed here, from 2011, there are humorous pen and watercolour wash illustrations by Catherine Rayner, who reports that she herself loved the stories when she was a child.
This collection was so popular when it was first published that it sparked a host of sequels, all of which you can be sure this reviewer will track down, and read with a big fat smile on her face. Michael Bond has been awarded the OBE for his services to children's literature. Catherine Rayner has been awarded the prestigious Kate Greenaway medal for her picture books. They are well deserved. This book is a delight from start to finish. My personal favourite out of the stories is a so-called myth from Peru, invented by Olga da Polga. In it, she explains that in common with nearly all mammals, guinea pigs used to have tails. But due to a noble act (which I will not spoil by telling you about) they sacrificed them and were awarded their rosettes. Olga da Polga's rosettes are whimsically highlighted throughout Catherine Rayner's cartoon-like illustrations, all of which are beautifully quirky, and stylised.
""Wheeee! Wheeeeee! Wheeeeeeeee!"
And really, there was nothing more to be said."
July 4, 2024
how can anyone have any complaints about the life a gorgeously firey guinea pig - my favourite bit was when she won a prize for fattest Guinea pig at a fair, if I could give it 10 stars I would xxxx
June 1, 2016
Well, this sounded much better than it actually was.
It was mostly the fault of Olga herself. The story was decent, the idea was fun, but Olga was just a terrible character. Starting rumours, making up tall tales (which I truly didn't like and I was dreading them when they popped up), thinking she is so much more superior to anyone (and bragging about it), and much much more. I was so terribly glad for the humans that they didn't have to hear Olga's stories, but I felt sorry for the animals.
Luckily, very luckily, Olga often got some backlash (in one way or another) for what she said or did.
Sure, she was also interesting to read about, to see her live her life, to see her talk about the changing of seasons, to see her views on her home, to see her make friends with even the unlikeliest animals (cats).
I also had a laugh that she would call the humans, Sawdust (Mr. or Ms. or Mrs.).
Also why the hell would those people bind/wrap Holly, HOLLY around Olga's hutch? She could try to eat it and let me just tell you this is a bad idea. :| There are just some things you shouldn't put near your guinea pig.
There are also illustrations, and I have to say those were the best part of the book. Olga looks absolutely adorable, and I just love how detailed the art is.
So yeah, I was really looking forward to this one, because I love guinea pigs (and other rodents as well) and I just love it when books are about them. Sadly, this one was not meant to be.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
It was mostly the fault of Olga herself. The story was decent, the idea was fun, but Olga was just a terrible character. Starting rumours, making up tall tales (which I truly didn't like and I was dreading them when they popped up), thinking she is so much more superior to anyone (and bragging about it), and much much more. I was so terribly glad for the humans that they didn't have to hear Olga's stories, but I felt sorry for the animals.
Luckily, very luckily, Olga often got some backlash (in one way or another) for what she said or did.
Sure, she was also interesting to read about, to see her live her life, to see her talk about the changing of seasons, to see her views on her home, to see her make friends with even the unlikeliest animals (cats).
I also had a laugh that she would call the humans, Sawdust (Mr. or Ms. or Mrs.).
Also why the hell would those people bind/wrap Holly, HOLLY around Olga's hutch? She could try to eat it and let me just tell you this is a bad idea. :| There are just some things you shouldn't put near your guinea pig.
There are also illustrations, and I have to say those were the best part of the book. Olga looks absolutely adorable, and I just love how detailed the art is.
So yeah, I was really looking forward to this one, because I love guinea pigs (and other rodents as well) and I just love it when books are about them. Sadly, this one was not meant to be.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
March 15, 2017
"This book is awesome! I wish I could give it 100 stars. I like guinea pigs and I like the name Olga da Polga" -HK, age 5
"This is a really fun story that has a lot of fun pets that I like." - A, age 7
"This is a really fun story that has a lot of fun pets that I like." - A, age 7
March 3, 2016
Olga da Polga is a 13-chapter book about a guinea-pig called Olga. The chapters tell the tale of life from a guinea-pig's point of view, from moving to a new home from the pet shop, to meeting the family pets and neighbourhood animals when there, to winning a rosette at a show, to getting lost from her hutch and so on.
But the best bits are where she holds the other animals in awe as they gather around and listen to her tall tales. whether that be her souping up of her rather mundane adventures, or her telling the stories of the history of the guinea-pig. Plus this being a book by Michael Bond, author of Paddington Bear, there is mention of Peru where Paddington also hailed from.
This edition is a gift edition and as such is rather lavish. Along the way are watercolour and spray painted images of Olga and the other animals. Also it comes with a hard-cover and a dust-jacket with shiny writing on. So it certainly looks the part.
Overall a well-produced book a much loved author.
But the best bits are where she holds the other animals in awe as they gather around and listen to her tall tales. whether that be her souping up of her rather mundane adventures, or her telling the stories of the history of the guinea-pig. Plus this being a book by Michael Bond, author of Paddington Bear, there is mention of Peru where Paddington also hailed from.
This edition is a gift edition and as such is rather lavish. Along the way are watercolour and spray painted images of Olga and the other animals. Also it comes with a hard-cover and a dust-jacket with shiny writing on. So it certainly looks the part.
Overall a well-produced book a much loved author.
March 30, 2019
Will always be my favourite even though it's it's for people half my age
March 20, 2022
This book clearly exceeded my expectations! Olga da Polga , a guinea pig has more tales to tell in a day than me, This story is both adventurous and funny. I enjoyed it so much that I laughed out loud! This book is a must read for children looking for adventure and inspiration for their writing. The author cleverly turned an ordinary day into extraordinary by cleverly weaving thrill, enthusiasm, wonder and strangeness into this story.
February 3, 2025
This book is like being served with scrumptious writing as the main course and Olga's fresh humor for an impeccable appetizer. The Secret Life of Pets but make it a nosy guinea pig who spreads rumors and makes up tales for fun.
Olga da Polga charmed me with its unexpected wit and rich imagery. I enjoyed being swept into Olga's world, having to experience each of her adventures as if they were my own.
A story suitable for people of any age.
Olga da Polga charmed me with its unexpected wit and rich imagery. I enjoyed being swept into Olga's world, having to experience each of her adventures as if they were my own.
A story suitable for people of any age.
March 9, 2025
Michael Bond is most known for his Paddington books. I recently wondered if he had written other children's books and that's how I found Olga. Although I like the Paddington stories better, Olga is still a fun book with Bond's humorous writing. Not all of the books are available in my area; otherwise, I would be reading all of them. I recommend for fans of Paddington.
May 29, 2018
Marsuihmisten ehdotonta herkkua. Kuvitus on ihana ja marsun elämän käänteitähän tässä käsitellään Olga da Polga -nimisen elikon näkökulmasta. Valitsin itse kannen ja vähän suuremman koon eli kuvakirja, mutta enempi tekstiä, perusteella. Ei välttis ääneenluettavaa matskua, koska ei mitään isoja mahdollisuuksia muuhun onomatopoetiikkaan kuin marsun aika taajaan vikinään.
October 7, 2020
I liked this more than I thought I would. Talking animals not really my favorite. This is a story told by a pet guinea pig. The family, the Sawdusts, have many pets. It is very true to life. Nice twists. I was surprised when Olga da Polga went to visit Boris and a short time later had a family. Some wonderful stories here. Michael Bond is really wonderful. Glad I stumbled across this.
Read
April 22, 2023I enjoyed this sweet short story about a guinea pig named Olga de Polga.
When I was a kid, I enjoyed all the Paddington chapter books and this tale by the same author caused me to feel the same sort of comfort I enjoyed when reading about a bear who came to live with a family.
I wish I had read this book when my kids were younger. This series would make a nice read-aloud for kids 7+
When I was a kid, I enjoyed all the Paddington chapter books and this tale by the same author caused me to feel the same sort of comfort I enjoyed when reading about a bear who came to live with a family.
I wish I had read this book when my kids were younger. This series would make a nice read-aloud for kids 7+
January 15, 2025
This is our first read aloud of 2025. It was a very fun book to ease into. Sadly, we have gotten away from read alouds due to the busyness of life but I want to bring it back, so I pulled out a stack of shorter chapter books so that we can re-wet our feet and feel accomplished.
A charming little book by Bond (author of Paddington).
A charming little book by Bond (author of Paddington).
March 21, 2025
This was a fun one. Bond did a good job of looking at life through the eyes of a guinea pig. The description of Guy Fawkes Day was amusing (although perhaps confusing if you are not familiar with that holiday and how the British celebrate it). My only complaint was the last chapter regarding Christmas, and putting the emphasis on Father Christmas.
June 20, 2018
My 5-year-old Leo says, “I like it and I think I want another chapter. Is there anymore more? This book is about a guinea pig who can talk, and she has a friend who is a hedgehog and a cat. I liked the chapter where there she tells a lie how the guinea pigs touched the moon and get their squeaks.”
April 14, 2023
4.5 stars. The master storyteller & the author of Paddington does it again. The stories and the characters, especially Olga are so wholesome and believable and sweet, with an old school charm. What a wonderful read!
May 7, 2023
Lovely read with my Guinea Pig obsessed 7-year old daughter. The only thing I had against it was that each chapter was like a short story without any over-arching plot so it didn’t really go anyway - my daughter wasn’t at all bothered by this though!
February 5, 2018
Great book, that was funny and thoughtful. Captured the cheeky essence of Guinea Pigs.
May 29, 2019
Lovely little tales of a guinea pig.
June 13, 2020
Wholesome childrens book
July 23, 2020
I first read this book at 9 but re-read it recently at 12 and still find it very funny and highly entertaining! I recommend this book to all guinea-pig lovers!!! 😉🙃😁
November 14, 2020
Such a funny and cute book!!!
January 17, 2021
Very good
January 21, 2021
My son thought it was cute. Great character personality and perspective. Introduced some quintessential British terms.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2021
These gentle stories were just the thing to ease my six year old into the land of nod. Very sweet.
June 18, 2021
Not as charming as Paddington but charming nonetheless, especially if you're a fan of guinea pigs.
December 28, 2021
Funny. 😄🙂
May 7, 2022
Sweet, fun, charming to read with the kids.
June 25, 2022
As absolutely delightful as my third grade memories when my teacher read this out loud to the class. This is why I love Guinea pigs!
Read
April 15, 2023Cute, short chapters. I liked a spunky guinea pig and think C will too but it wasn't my favorite for a read aloud and so I'll take it one chapter at a time with C.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews