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Olaf Reads
New York The Dial Press, 1961. Hardcover in VG condition, no writing or marks, binding square, jacket is Good w. normal shelfwear, chips to bottom spine, not clipped - original price $2.75. Presumed first, no other dates given... Very Good/Good. Illus. by Harvey Weiss.
- GenresChildrens
53 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 20, 2022
If you like the book The Little Old Man Who Could Not Read, you and your kiddos will like this too!
Olaf is just learning how to read. Sometimes he doesn’t catch every letter and it leads to funny mistakes, and sometimes he reads without thinking, or takes things too literally. But he learns every lesson and sees what a delight reading is!
A comical little tale!
Ages: 4 - 8
Reading Level: 1st - 3rd
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
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Olaf is just learning how to read. Sometimes he doesn’t catch every letter and it leads to funny mistakes, and sometimes he reads without thinking, or takes things too literally. But he learns every lesson and sees what a delight reading is!
A comical little tale!
Ages: 4 - 8
Reading Level: 1st - 3rd
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
June 22, 2014
As Olaf learns to read he puts his mother's letter in the basket for litter. He obeys the word Pull on the fire alarm and can not quite make out the Quiet sign in the library. As Olaf learns to read, he takes his elders on quite a few adventures. In the end Olaf proudly brings home 2 books instead of one, since he is a good reader, and is quite happy to be initiated into the world of reading. This is definately a kid of an earlier time but he still gets into enough mischief to be apealing to some youngsers today.
November 26, 2010
Could this have been the book that somehow paved the way for a librarian in the family?
July 30, 2020
My rising first-grader is well into his own literacy journey, so we've spent the summer enjoying books about fictional characters learning to read (Morris Goes to School, The Little Old Man Who Could Not Read, etc.) This short chapter book was everything we wanted, showing Olaf's mixture of excitement and pride versus his confusion and occasional frustration as he learns to read the signs around him. He takes everything literally, with humorous results a fellow early reader can appreciate. My son chuckled at the last chapter in particular, where Olaf read a "QUIET" library sign in a shout.
One caveat, though. In the middle chapter, Olaf pulls the school's fire alarm, mistaking the word "PULL" for an order. The firefighters lecture him then laugh off the false call, telling him "we needed to have a fire drill anyway." My mom, a retired elementary teacher herself, and I debated leaving this chapter out, but I ultimately read it with my son, albeit with a conversation about not imitating behavior we see in books and TV, as well as the real-life consequences that would ensue if a child made a false 911 call. That aside, this was a delightful book and one has to admire Olaf's determination to read as much as he can.
One caveat, though. In the middle chapter, Olaf pulls the school's fire alarm, mistaking the word "PULL" for an order. The firefighters lecture him then laugh off the false call, telling him "we needed to have a fire drill anyway." My mom, a retired elementary teacher herself, and I debated leaving this chapter out, but I ultimately read it with my son, albeit with a conversation about not imitating behavior we see in books and TV, as well as the real-life consequences that would ensue if a child made a false 911 call. That aside, this was a delightful book and one has to admire Olaf's determination to read as much as he can.
September 8, 2022
Great children's book that encourages reading.
May 26, 2009
I have always liked this simple story, designed for readers that are just beginning to go it alone in the world of literature. The capers on which Olaf embarks as he begins to get into reading are genuinely humorous and make for fun reading material, and I think that readers of all types can enjoy this book.
September 25, 2023
I recently found this old book in my parent's house when I took my boys. I remember loving this book in second grade. The writing is terse, pointed. The illustrations are blocky, essential. The story is full of narrative tension and irony. The hero is trying hard, but still confused by these adults. A wonderful story for kids.
June 13, 2014
Olaf is too adorable for words.
May 22, 2016
Love this book, contains humor, as Olaf learns to read and miss-understands words and meanings.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews