Olive Oh Gets Creative

Olive Oh

by Tina Kim, Tiff Bartel (Illustrator)

When Olive Oh’s third-grade teacher announces that the whole school will be having an art show, Olive is thrilled. Being creative is what she does best. Plus, she has just found her lucky red beret. Olive is sure she’ll have all kinds of great ideas. But as the week goes on and Olive sees all the amazing projects her classmates create, she starts having doubts. What if her friends are better artists than she is? Or worse, what if she’s all out of creative ideas?

Olive Oh is going to be a famous artist when she grows up. Right now, she’s in third grade, using her creative thinking to find solutions to all kinds of problems. Her ideas often lead to unexpected adventures for her family and friends. But as any good artist knows, messiness is often part of the process.

Genres: Chapter Books

112 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2021

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bittersweet.

I love the multicultural representation. I love how the story used the original Korean words to address the other characters in the family.

Such a good book for beginners.

The perfect book to make the school goers start reading fiction.

Love the illustrations.

All the good vibes.

Thank you, author and the publisher, for the advance reading copy.

[Joy Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am always looking for Asian representations in children's books to introduce to my daughter, this book hits the spot. I am glad this story talks about modern day Asian's life in America, rather than play to the traditional super- strict Asian parents. I like how Olive eats Asian food at home and uses Korean pronouns, especially the part about Banana Milk (I love those ).

My daughter liked the artwork at the end of each chapter, she wishes there were more illustrations because the artwork was so cute, only in black and white and red.

[Joey Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Jolly Fish Press and Netgalley for the earc to read and review.

This book was utterly adorable, I loved Olive she was the sweetest little girl, with a big personality and a really creative mind. She always has some sort of creative art planned and leaves a mess in her wake. I really enjoyed this story.

When Olives’ school is planning an art show she’s the most excited but then as her friends share what they are doing she becomes defeated and doesn’t think she’s talented or able to create anything as good as them. I loved that her family all helped her feel better and helped her to figure out what she really can do.

It was such a sweet story with a great diverse family, great storyline and really beautiful illustrations that showed some of the best parts of the story in each chapter. This is really a really easy and quick read, perfect for a child that’s starting out with chapter books, Olive is a great lead and it’s a really fun book.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute picture book about an Korean American third grader, whose artistic mind faces a block when her class announces an art show. Loved the story. Read it in one sitting. However, the eARC's format was all over the place. I had to make the margins the thinnest and the font the smallest to put all the word and the pictures into the page properly. Gave me a headache having to read it while squirting my eyes.

Thank you, NetGalley and Jolly Fish Press, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Pooja Banga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.


Great storyline and really beautiful illustrations that showed some of the best parts of the story




(Book will be published on 1Sep 2021)

[Grace Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up, I read books like Amelia Bedelia or books that had animals as main characters. I never read a book that had characters like me. It was so emotional being able to relate to this little third grader and brings me so much joy that the next generation will be able to have that. They can see themselves like Olive Oh! She’s spunky, full of energy, and has a great support system! Also, I loved her grandma because she reminded me of my grandma that passed away. I really liked the theme of this book and it’s important for kids to learn about this theme as well!

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Korean-American Olive Oh is a third grader with aspirations of becoming a famous artist. Her dreams are briefly derailed when it seems everyone else in her class is coming up with better ideas for the art show than she has. Of course, all is resolved in the end. Another In-Between starring a spunky opinionated girl, this series seems to stand out for the emphasis on Olive's multigenerational family, the Korean food, and the focus on art.

Book Pairings:
Jo Jo Makoons by Dawn Quigley for a spunky Ojibwe girl.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olive Oh Gets Creative by Tina Kim teaches kids that we are all creative. Olive has a an art show coming up at school and she’s excited about presenting her artwork—until she starts seeing what type of artwork her friends are making. The book is a great illustration of how we are all unique and that what we create is lovely. This book would be perfect for a middle reader. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. (My review is also on Goodreads.)

[Landra Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spunky and adorable heroine in a modern day setting. The issue of avoiding your problems versus asking for help is very relatable and universal for younger middle grade readers, and I enjoyed how love of family saved the day. Could see this being good for the classroom library or read-aloud. A charming read.