January 15, 2022
A sheltered kitty confronts the outside world. House cat Olivia is a "fearless explorer," hunting, traveling to the "top of the world" (really the top of the closet), and more...all from the comfort of her home. The dryly humorous text conveys that Olivia lives a "demanding" existence; the artwork, meanwhile, shows the feline napping and playing with stuffed toys. Olivia's indoor life is also "filled with danger," namely, a playful child who likes to grab her tail. When Olivia tumbles out of a window while swatting a fly, her supposed bravery is put to the test. A dog scares her up a tree, and she must take a literal leap of faith to save herself. The story can be used to spur conversations about what constitutes courage and whether leaving one's comfort zone is worth the risks. Olivia's creative approach to her seemingly narrow existence might resonate with families who have spent considerable time in pandemic isolation and will help readers understand that introverts and other solitary types can have rich inner worlds. It is unclear if the story's resolution should encourage readers to step outside of their preferred environments or stick with the familiar. The tempera-and-pastel illustrations, rendered in a flat, na�ve art style and filled with clever foreshadowing, might make up for the unresolved existential dilemma. Olivia belongs to a brown-skinned family whose faces remain hidden throughout. (This picture book was reviewed digitally.) A simple but discussionworthy "paw-rable" about the value of taking small steps toward the unknown. (Picture book. 3-6)
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February 14, 2022
Ensconced in a chic boxlike house, white puss Olivia is presented as leading a life of travel, exploration, and occasional danger. But Coppo’s paintings cleverly play with perspective to tell an alternate story, exposing the domestic narrative that’s actually occurring (Olivia’s “fearless” spelunking occurs amid a pile of blankets). “The world outside is for cats without any imagination,” the busy feline believes, until a tumble out the window introduces Olivia to a new universe. Clean, unlined tempera and pastel illustrations picture the kitty perched in bicycle luggage and peeking inside a brick fence’s hole. When a Dalmatian’s “Woof!” threatens, Olivia heads up the nearest tree and must decide whether to make a further leap into the unknown. Soothing, shapely graphics contribute to an aesthetically fashionable tale of a “brave cat” getting outside its comfort zone. Ages 5–8.
February 15, 2022
Preschool-Grade 1 Olivia, a Siamese cat, appears to be "an adventurer, a tireless traveler and a fearless explorer." But when readers look closely at these appealing illustrations, they will discover that she is an indoor cat. In one illustration, the cream-colored feline seems to be in the desert with hills and blooming cacti behind her; in actuality, she is lying on a drawing of a Southwest scene. The cheerful, softly colored pictures with their clean lines cleverly fool the eye at first (a garden of flowers becomes an enclosed balcony with potted plants) as Olivia's adventures continue in her safe, comfy house. Though Olivia has plenty to do inside, living the cozy life can become a bit of a bore. Systematically knocking items off tables, playing with her myriad toys, and simply observing the outside world through a window isn't always entertaining enough, so curious Olivia slips out into the backyard--where her bravery is truly put to the test. A charming tale of a cosseted cat.
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