Olivia Helps with Christmas

I expected much more out of this, but I didn't find it to be anything special. It was cute, but it just went through a basic lead-up to Christmas, with an emphasis on presents. Meh.

This is this is an excellent book, full of Ian Falconer's witty and beautifully executed drawings. The author perfectly captures the holiday atmosphere with Olivia in the middle of all the preparations. The drawings themselves are beautifully rendered with new techniques unseen in earlier books, and the rich red cover with an embossed title makes this the perfect holiday gift. To make your gift more substantial, you may add to it books from the series Why Some Cats are Rascals.

My daughter and I absolutely love this book! I think I might like it even more than she does. Every time we read it I crack up. The pictures are wonderful as usual and it is really getting us into the X-mas spirit!

Many young readers have already met and fallen in love with Olivia, the perkiest porker to be found. If your favorite school-ager hasn't had the pleasure yet, now is a perfect time as Olivia gets into the spirit of the holiday season. Ian Falconer's illustrations are irresistible as is his text which is liberally sprinkled with quips. Who could resist smiling when Olivia gets soot on her snout as she peers up the chimney looking for Santa? Her family goes through the traditional pre-Christmas rituals, singing carols, trimming the tree (as Olivia tangles herself in strings of lights), and leaving a snack for St. Nick. We're treated to both visual and verbal gifts from the irrepressible Mr. Falconer on the night when "not a piglet was stirring" (supposedly). - Gail Cooke

This book feels just like Christmas Eve does to a young one - frenetic, thrilling, and filled with anticipation. The book doesn't flow in the way the other recent Olivia books do, and there isn't a real storyline beyond them waiting for Christmas and enjoying the holiday in a sweet way together. Each page tells its own story in a few lines. Olivia and family begin by getting a tree and coming home from shopping, then there is a page on Olivia helping put up the tree, feeding William the baby, peering up the chimney for Santa, putting up Christmas lights, setting the table, singing carols, setting out cookies for Santa, and so on till Christmas morning arrives and there are PRESENTS!!! All through the book are the charming touches and interludes that we love in Olivia books. I don't want to ruin them for you, but there were many scenes that made me laugh out loud! In the more recent books, Olivia does something that drives the plot, and the story gains momentum in that way. This book feels more like the first Olivia book, where we are introduced to her and follow her through a number of separate activities in which she shows her great charm. It was hard for me to shift from expecting a little storyline to just enjoying the illustrations and the small touches of cleverness, and honestly I was a tiny bit disappointed at the lack of continuity through the book. That said, if you go into it expecting a style more like the first one than the latest three, you will enjoy it a lot! The pictures are clear and beautiful, Olivia's little brother Ian is really growing up and becoming a part of things, and Perry the dog's scene in which he "helps" Santa with the cookies is hilarious. I think parents and children alike will enjoy this charming little book. I am 28 years old and enjoy Olivia anyway (who says I am too old?), and this one is certainly going into my permanent collection for Christmas rereads.

this is an excellent book- probably the best Olivia book yet. Rich, gorgeous colors and hysterical story with the frenetic preparations for the Holiday overlapping the warm and touching scenes of family traditions. Everyone will relate to the trials of family gatherings and as you'll see, Olivia is a huge help in preparing for this Christmas! The drawings are beautiful. An excellent choice for a holiday present.My kids favorite so far and it brings back memories for me!