Olivia Forms a Band
#4 in Olivia Series
on Goodreads (4,522)
What’s inside...
Olivia, the Caldecott Honor-winning porcine diva, decides to form a one-pig band after finding out there won't be a band at the fireworks show. Using household items and her distinctive flair, she creates enough noise to mimic an entire orchestra. Lavishly illustrated by Ian Falconer, this story showcases Olivia's knack for making noise, now available as an eBook with audio.
Character compass
Olivia
Olivia'S Mom
Ian Cully
William
Discussion points
Why do you think Olivia wanted to form her own band? What does this tell us about her personality?
How did Olivia solve the problem when she didn't have enough band members?
What are some of the instruments Olivia used for her band? Which instrument would you like to play?
How do you think the other characters felt about Olivia's band? Did they enjoy the music?
If you could create a band, what would you name it and what kind of music would you play?
Tip: Role play these questions
Show genuine interest in your child’s responses, and encourage them to think deeper by asking follow-up questions based on their answers.
Discuss the importance of creativity and problem-solving, as demonstrated by Olivia, and connect it to real-life situations where your child could apply similar skills.
Take turns guessing what might happen next in the story to keep your child engaged and encourage them to think ahead.
If possible, play some music using household items to recreate a fun band scenario, enhancing the connection with the book's theme.
Praise your child’s insights and ideas during the discussion to boost their confidence and encourage a love for reading and exploration.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and resourcefulness
Explanation: Olivia displays her creativity and resourcefulness by creating her own band using household items when she learns there’s no band in the fireworks event.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to use their imagination and available resources to solve problems or create something new, encouraging innovative thinking in everyday tasks.
Example Lesson: Self-expression through music
Explanation: Olivia’s journey in setting up her own band illustrates the joy and self-expression found in music.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore musical instruments or use their voices to express their feelings and creativity, fostering emotional development and artistic inclination.
Example Lesson: Independence and initiative
Explanation: Olivia takes the initiative to form a band herself rather than waiting for others to provide one, showing independence and proactive behavior.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to take initiative in their activities and not to be afraid of pursuing their interests or solutions independently.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite the challenges Olivia faces in organizing her band, she does not give up until she achieves her goal.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of persistence and determination in reaching their goals, regardless of the obstacles they might encounter.