Olivia en Venecia

Olivia #6

by Ian Falconer

En Olivia en Venecia, la cerdita favorita de todos viaja a la tierra de las bellas artes, el helado, y las góndolas en unas vacaciones en familia para recordar. En su primera nueva aventura en tres años, Olivia lleva su perspicaz ojo para el estilo a la bella Venecia en unas vacaciones familiares que incluirán esquivar palomas en la Plaza de San Marco, atiborrarse de helado, y apenas mantenerse a flote en una góndola.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Italy, Travel, Fiction, Animals, Humor

48 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2009

About the author

Ian Falconer is the author and illustrator of all the titles in the bestselling Olivia series: Olivia, Olivia Saves the Circus,Olivia...and the Missing Toy, and Olivia Forms a Band. His illustrations have also graced many covers of the New Yorker. In addition, he has designed sets and costumes for the New York City Ballet, the San Francisco Opera, and the Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), among others. Mr. Falconer lives in New York City. (Simon & Schuster)

Reviews

[karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

look at all of my olivias!! the one in the middle who looks all dirty actually is very dirty, because she is supposed to be wearing red footie pajamas, but they keep falling off because she is a little nudist.
bad olivia!

anyway, look at that signature!!awesome ariel lied to ian falconer and told him i was a five-year-old girl (which makes me feel better because no girl my age should have this many stuffed olivias, and we haven't even photographed the olivia music box, the olivia alarm clock, the olivia bath toys, he olivia charm bracelet etc...) so he signed it both as himself ian falconer and as olivia the best pig ever.apparently he only signs as himself for adults. this lie was necessary.

i have been told by more than one person that i share many attributes with olivia. i interpret this as a statement that i have a lot of enthusiasm, and a wide range of ideas and opinions. i am told that in fact, i am bossy and loud and adorable.

i'll take what i can get - at least one of them is a compliment.

in this book, olivia goes to venice and eats a ton of gelato and almost gets murdered by birds. (biiiiirdered)
when i was in florence, i was the same way, w/r/t the gelato. i was an unstoppable gelato-eating machine. in venice, i ate zero gelato, but i displayed my olivia-ness by loudly questioning why everything was closed by 8. and why there was a mcdonalds. and why the bathrooms were just holes in the floor and how was i supposed to remove that much clothing when it was so freezing and aim myself gracefully.

i am a lot of fun to travel with, believe me.

while this book is an olivia book, and therefore perfect, i will say that i like the inclusion of all the photographs of venice less than the more usual style of falconer's books. it was a little more glossy and slick than i like in an olivia book. but the story is charming and it is a great xmas present and ariel is pretty awesome, i think.

[Tova · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this I think I need some gelato. Review here!

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

8 March, 2013

Saturday we went back-to-school shopping which meant clothes, new lunch bags, and a visit to a bookstore. My beloved MIL was with us, and as we walked by a display of picture books she said something about missing that, now that the girls are so grown up. "I bring home picture books every time I go to the library" I said, "I read aloud to Tash just yesterday."

This is what I read aloud.

We both really liked the joke about Olivia and the TSA. We sighed over the pictures, we liked the running gelato gag. But there's a lot less of Olivia's personality in this book, and we missed that. The sites were impressive, but Olivia wasn't imagining herself living in it, so it remains just pretty pictures.

We no longer have regularly scheduled reading time before bed, and the girls seldom check out picture books themselves, but I haven't stopped reading to them, by a long shot. Often I only read one shapter aloud to them from whatever novel they have going, or the pictures books I bring home. But it's still something. I'm glad. It is one of my favorite parenting tasks.

Library copy.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the concept here! Olivia travels to Venice with her family and sees all sorts of famous sights--Falconer uses collage style to put illustrations of Olivia et al at actual photographs or famous illustrations of places like Piazza San Marco and Bridge of Sighs. So cool! And he doesn't sacrifice one ounce of Olivia's personality in the process of bringing Venice to the palm of our hands. Brilliant! Now, I must say I was not especially happy with the way Olivia left Venice and I wish there had been another finale--I know it's supposed to be funny but it just seemed a shame to me--so I'm docking one star. Still, it's a worthwhile book, especially for children who will be traveling to Venice and I hope Falconer allows Olivia to visit many more countries in the future :-)

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Irrepressible porcine wonder Olivia returns in this, the sixth picture-book chronicling her madcap adventures. Setting off with her family for a vacation in Venice, Olivia has to be forced to leave her snorkel and flippers behind - the city is sometimes underwater, she tells her mother - enjoys being searched by security at the airport, and sets a frenetic pace once in the city of their destination. From eating lots of gelato to riding a gondola, Olivia and family do lots of typical Venetian things. But when selecting a souvenir, our piglet heroine chooses something with rather atypical results...

Although I have greatly enjoyed previous installments of Ian Falconer's Olivia series, in the end I found Olivia Goes to Venice somewhat wanting. It started out promisingly enough, with lots of Olivia humor - I loved the fact that our eponymous heroine enjoyed getting patted down at the airport! - and wonderful illustrations that join Falconer's usual charcoal and gouache artwork with sepia-toned photographs of Venice. The whole thing started to go south for me, however, when Olivia loots a brick from an important monument, leading to its total destruction. I understand that this was meant to be humorous - and, as always, humor is very idiosyncratic - but as a student of antiquity I couldn't help but cringe at the very idea of casually destroying an important artifact, structure, or work of art, simply to gain a souvenir. Sadly, this sort of cultural vandalism has had disastrous results, here in the real world, so the 'humor' of this plot point was a little thin for me. If you can overlook that aspect of the story, or even find it funny, then this will be an Olivia story to enjoy. Otherwise, I say give it a miss.

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, Falconer's illustrations are absolutely mesmerizing. They are fantastic, delicious, wonderful. But... I really don't like these Olivia books. She's sarcastic, which doesn't ring well with little ones, and she's naughty. I hated that in this book, Olivia pulled a brick out of the bell tower, and her parents didn't stay to face the consequences of a tumbling monument, but instead fled. Okay, I know this is just a story, but I can't stand it when the parents don't stand up for what is right. My little one was completely confused by the whole thing...

Plus, he thinks eating six gelatos in one day is just fine since Olivia got to do it...

[Mary Train · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a poor attempt at making Italian culture accessible to children. Although the images of Venice are eye-catching, making the illustrations creative, the story is truly horrible, in my opinion. When I read this story to my kindergarten class, their blank faces and confused interpretations of the story were all that was needed for me to lose complete respect for this book. This book is a perfect example of how publishers can exploit popular characters to make some money.

[Sunday · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun read aloud with pictures of Venice; missed opportunity - a glossary with information about each of the pictures; story-line a bit weak - the problem is she needs a souvenir? and she never eats the pizza....

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had debated about whether to log this or not because Josh Gad is reading a children's book on Twitter every night. But I find it to be a highlight of my day, and thought that maybe some day I would want a reminder to look back on of one of the positive things that has happened during this incredibly difficult time.

[Ladiibbug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia the Piglet children's book

Exuberant Olivia is packing her snorkel, flippers and water skis for the family trip to Venice, Italy for spring vacation. Her mother informs Olivia those items won't be needed. We go to Venice with the family, and witness Olivia's first airport search, which pleases her greatly.

I enjoyed the armchair tour of Venice's famous landmarks and canals. The author did a wonderful job of including information and pictures of these to teach children about them in an Olivia book.

Being a big fan of pigs I thoroughly enjoyed the drawings of Olivia and her family. Such fun detail, such as the family enjoying gelatos -- the baby's ice cream is shown as a splat on the ground, with the baby holding only a cone.

I heart Olivia!

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more, because I love Venice. It was also my first Olivia book so there were things that were jarring for me that may be typical. The really pale drawings over color photos and the humor being kind of mean and destructive was the jarring part. The frequent gelato stops were realistic, and the page with the pigeon's was vivid, if not as much of a reality now.

[Seon Kim]

The characters of the book are adorable. The book can teach readers new things about Venice. It can definitely can help children explore the different country that they have never been too. If the children have been to Venice, they can still make connection with the story.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Gotta love the precocious Olivia.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I get such a kick from the Olivia stories. I wonder if she likes barbecued pork sandwiches?

[Amelia Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

HEE HEE WHEN SHE PULLS OUT A BRICK FROM THE TOWER AND THE WHOLE BUILDING FALLS DOWN

tried to recreate this while I was in Venice but there were no loose bricks :((

[Alice Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please make another one like this about Paris!

[Cristhian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia siempre es 🔝

[Maybel Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was read so many times as my girls were growing up. Was on my mind as we visited Venice for the first time this year.

[Ms BooksAholic · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not a winner for my daughter or myself. I decided to read this to my daughter thinking it would be a good read. It was totally the opposite. The whole time I was reading the book to my daughter she just had a blank look on her face. She had no interest in the story at all. The illustrations in the book were really nice. But for me the whole storyline just didn't make a good story. Most of the beginning of the story was just the family eating gelato. The ending of the story was terrible. This is the first Olivia book we have read. I will try some others. This particular book just wasn't a good one.

[Gail Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it's always difficult to resist that perky little porker, Olivia, it's impossible now that she's visiting one of the most beautiful cities in the world - Venice. Yes, sporting a gondolier's hat with its ribbons flying she's about to take that storied spot by storm. (almost literally).

As most know by now Ian Falconer has created one of the most appealing children's book characters to be found. Olivia,along with her brother, Ian, and their mother and father have shared many adventures – from forming a band to visiting a circus to preparing for Christmas. Now, they're off to Italy.

It's spring vacation and Olivia wants to take along her snorkel, flippers and water skis lest the city is under water – mother prevails. Happy to hear that she'll find pizza and ice cream everywhere Olivia enjoys their overseas flight.

Upon seeing the beautiful Grand Canal lined with incredible palazzos Olivia begs to live in one of the palazzos. Of course, she was disappointed when this couldn't happen but a gelato or three cheered her. They're all overwhelmed by how much there is to see – Piazza San Marco, the bevy of pigeons, the gondolas, the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs.

Everything about Venice is grandly overwhelming to Olivia and she decides she must find the perfect souvenir of their trip. Young readers will laugh and be surprised at exactly what that is.......as well as its effects upon the city.

The Olivia stores simply become more delightful with each telling.

- Gail Cooke

[Cassie Veselovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought perhaps with Olivia finding her way to television, we would see a downfall in the books. The latest Olivia tale proves that theory wrong. Falconer hasn't missed a beat in capturing all the beauty and splendor of Italy as well as of Olivia!

The mixed media illustrations give you a wonderful glimpse into this fine country as well as depicting all of the joys that come with family vacations. I love the bit about always needing a gelato! It was making me hungry for some!

Check out Olivia’s latest adventure; you will not be disappointed. You may also want to combine it with an old favorite, Madeline for a look at Paris and possibly Eloise for an introduction to another adventuresome girl!

[Kristin Fletcher-spear · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like many things about this book. I love Olivia and I liked the usage of photography. I didn't like the destruction at the end and the parents' reaction to it. When it came to the souvenir that she was selecting I thought Falconer missed things to showcase about Venice (and come on, Olivia would have loved to have a mask!)

[Kathy]

This reminded me of our trip to Italy. Fun!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to Josh Gad read this with great voices. Funny!

[Shannon]

Listened to Josh Gad's reading/ #GadBookClub.

https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1OdK...

(March 13, 2020)

[Sasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I adored the actual Venetian parts of the illustrations - the Rialto Bridge, various palazzos, gondolas, and basilicas - Olivia and her family, as usual, looked like wobbly, jail-broken cyborg pigs and I just feel like they'd frighten children (the striped outfits don't help, and there aren't really any differentiating gender characteristics, so I think young girls may also have trouble identifying and connecting to Olivia). Also, the entire premise of the book was to find a souvenir, yet that never gets resolved because the family is content to just gorge on gelato after every experience. Not the healthiest message to kiddos to have gelato 6+ times in one day. Maybe I'm being picky, but this is just one series (like Eloise) that I can't get behind.

[Sarah Beth Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very captivating read, from the pictures being so vivid and in such bright colors to the content, it really hooks you in as you follow Olivia and her family in their adventures. I will say the ending was subpar- there was almost a neglect of lines explaining what the people of Venice felt about the thieving and inconsiderate adolescent pig did to their city. It was not a happy ending and the message trying to be communicated was overshadowed. I did, however, love the emphasis on the bridges to be crossed and the gelato to be had because that is a very accurate representation of a trip to Venice. I also am not sure why Olivia was pleased about being checked at security that is a bit peculiar. Otherwise, this book was a solid read and it gets 4/5 stars!

[skcocnaH · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was disappointing in the extreme. The only thing I liked was how Falconer merged the photos with the illustrations.
However, it feels like the Falconer is really saying all Italy has to offer is delicious gelato. And I was not cool with the gondola owner implicating/assuming that the reason the boat was so weighed down is because foreigners always eat too much Gelato. Like, maybe just get another job if it’s too hard for you?
After reading this, my 5-year-old wouldn’t let me read any of the other Olivia books that my husband checked out this week. I wanted to see if any of these other ones were better.
I have more to say but I just don’t have the mental energy currently.

[Emmy Kirkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade Level: K-3

Olivia is so fun! I loved how they got gelato over and over and over again and I know I definitely would have done the same thing! The illustrations in this story were very funny because all of Venice was realistic and looked like photographs, while Olivia and her family were still the cartoon pigs. I think this book would be so fun for a history lesson about Venice because of the realistic pictures and real places mentioned. I know students would enjoy a lesson with Olivia involved!

[Hailey Ek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable book about a pig who goes to Venice for her spring break. The Olivia books are some of my very favorite, and I used to read them to my sister all the time!
With this book I would incorporate other books that show case other countries like this book does, and talk about the different settings and pictures in the books. If would be fun with a young age group of students to teach them about how other areas of the world look different from ours.