Olivia Forms a Band

That imaginative and willful little pig Olivia returns in this fourth picture-book chronicling her adventures, this time determined to create her own marching band, when her mother informs her that the fireworks they will be seeing that evening won't have musical accompaniment. When her family members don't prove as enthusiastic as she is at the idea of participating, our porcine heroine decides she will have to do it by herself. After all, as Olivia reminds her mother, she alone can sound like five people, so why not form a band...?Like its predecessors, Olivia Forms a Band is a superb picture-book, one that pairs a pitch-perfect narrative about a feisty and creative young girl with lots of energy and not a lot of restraint, with absolutely hilarious illustrations that are as beautiful as they are entertaining. Ian Falconer is at the top of his form here, adeptly capturing the droll expressions on the faces of Olivia and her family in his charcoal and gouache artwork. A number of photographs - a rock band, a marching band, the Supreme Court! - are worked into the artwork, in the thought bubbles. Highly recommended to anyone who has read and enjoyed other stories about Olivia, as well as to anyone looking for stories about feisty young girls and their imaginary inner worlds.

Olivia wants to be a one-girl band for the fireworks show she is attending with her family. She gathers up all sorts of instruments, steals her dad's suspenders (while he's wearing them!) and practices (sort of). When it comes time to go to the fireworks show, she changes her mind. That night, Olivia dreams of becoming a member of the Supreme Court. Although only my second book in the series, I really think these books are adorable. Great to read for all ages and the illustrations are really well done!

Olivia and her family are going to watch fireworks on the 4th of July. She decides she needs to form a band to play during the fireworks. After a whole day of practicing she doesn't bring her band to watch the fireworks. I love this book for students because this series is so funny and makes you feel good while you read it. This would be good for a unit containing American Independence or anything to do with 4th of July, or can be put with a fun music lesson or project.

My favorite Olivia book so far. Olivia says the best things in this book and has the cutest snarliest responses. I would not use this book as a lesson, but I would definitely read this book for fun to my children, just to bring the mood up, especially, when Olivia's mother "meets" her "band."

Olivia's family is planning to view fireworks one evening. She is convinced that there should be a band for the fireworks, so she creates a band all by herself.

Another Olivia book. This time Olivia is determined to form a one-man band for the 4th of July. Olivia is less all over the map in this book and it's less new and fun which might be why I like it a lot less than the first one. But it's still cute and kids who liked the first one will still probably like it. I see it possibly in the classroom as just another picture book to have around. Maybe it could connect to a unit about music.