Olivia and the Fairy Princesses
A good-humored identity crisis makes this one a royal hoot.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Olivia and the Fairy Princesses is about Olivia the pig's desire for individuality. She tells her parents that she's having "an identity crisis" because she doesn't want to be a princess in pink like all the kids in her ballet class, at birthday parties, and on Halloween, so she explores other things she could be. It's an offbeat, humorous look at a common feeling: wanting to be special. Great for reading aloud.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Olivia, the adorable but self-absorbed pig, is having an identity crisis. She's surrounded by girls and \"even a couple of the boys\" who want to dress like princesses in pink -- in ballet class, for Halloween, at birthday parties. Olivia talks to her mom about her desire to be something different, more distinctive, and tries on a few of those identities -- a princess from India, Africa, Thailand, or China, or maybe a nurse or reporter. In the end, she figures out a role that's more significant than princess and so in keeping with her bossy side: queen!
Is It Any Good?
OLIVIA AND THE FAIRY PRINCESSES is more enjoyable than some Olivia outings because she's not being bratty; she's just expressing an honest desire to stand out from the crowd. The art, as usual, is fantastic and amusing. We see Olivia in a sea of pink princesses at a birthday party wearing her preferred blue-and-white striped shirt; in ballet class among the pink tutus wearing a black-and-white striped leotard; and full of angst, "trying to develop a more stark, modern style" in a charcoal gray stretchy number like Isadora Duncan, whose photo hangs above her bed. It's an extreme (and funny) exploration of a common instinct: wanting to not be like everybody else. A great read-aloud for bedtime or anytime.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about wanting to be special. Kids: Do you prefer to dress like your friends or wear something different?
Why do you think so many girls would like to be a princess?
Have you read other Olivia books? How do you think this one compares? Is is as good as the others? Better? What is it about Olivia that makes her books so popular?
Book Details
- Author: Ian Falconer
- Illustrator: Ian Falconer
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Arts and Dance, Brothers and Sisters, Horses and Farm Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Atheneum
- Publication date: August 28, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 7
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
-
Good News Bad News
Spare story of ups & downs great for toddlers, preschoolers.
-
It's a Tiger!
Breathless tale of running from tiger is good, silly fun.
-
Dragons Love Tacos
Taco party has fiery consequences in funny dragon tale.
For kids who love picture books and animals
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate