Things we love: Ian Falconer's precious pig

Wilbur may have been “some pig”, but never has there been such an adorable, lively, and strong-willed swine as Ian Falconer’s Olivia.

Besides the fact that Olivia is a brilliant character taking on fantastic adventures such as saving the circus and forming a band – the writing is careful, thoughtful, and humorous, and the seemingly simplistic illustrations are anything but.

The understated black, white, and red palette on otherwise blank pages helps kiddos focus on facial expressions and the situations at hand without the distraction of too much color and details undermining the basics of the tale.

Since the original Olivia book was published in 2000, the series just seems to keep getting better and better, and the cult like following stronger and stronger.

There’s a section at the local bookstores dedicated to her, an online fan base of loyal followers, and she even made the cut in the U.S. Postal Service’s Commemorative Favorite Children’s Books stamp collection back in 2006.

Sure the books are genius and we big kids appreciate them for their higher level of creativity and sophistication. But the bottom line? Littles love them and wish Mr. Falconer would hurry up and crank out the next adventure!

> The Olivia Books at Amazon.com
> Interview with Ian Falconer