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April 06, 2009
Why the Library Should Give Me Free Cable Service
Somehow I've missed that Nickelodeon has been airing cartoons based on Ian Falconer's Olivia books. Here's a little intro spot:
I'm not impressed. Have any of you seen a full episode?
And now I know why I can't ever find an Olivia book at the library lately. Got to get more on order stat.
Books referred to:
Falconer, Ian. Olivia. NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2000. (HC: 9780689829536, BOARD: 9789681663469).
-Olivia Saves the Circus. NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2001. (I had to note that it exists, but it appears to be out of print, which is kind of shocking what with the cartoon and all. Guess Atheneum doesn't need the money.)
-Olivia Counts. NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2002. (BOARD: 9780689850875)
-Olivia--and the Missing Toy. NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003. (HC: 9780689852916)
-Olivia Forms a Band. NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006. (HC: 9781416924548)
-Olivia Helps with Christmas. NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2007. (HC: 9781416907862)
Posted by adrienne at April 6, 2009 08:15 PM
Comments
I've seen clips and I love the book Olivia so much more than the cartoon version. There is something about the cartoon that takes away her playfulness. But the kids seem to love the show....I guess any good book character these days eventually becomes a TV show character.
Posted by: Franki at April 6, 2009 09:44 PM
Yeah, totally not impressed although I haven't seen a full episode either. Her mothers voice sounds wrong, the set off....hmmmmm. Charlie and Lola is great so it can be done!
Posted by: Cheryl at April 7, 2009 01:28 AM
And I recognize that the attempt here is to recreate the shapes of the characters faithfully from the books, but I find it kind of creepy, like people marionettes (*shudders*). Cheryl, I wonder if the sets seem wrong because Falconer's backgrounds are so minimal. It all seems wrong in full color, too. Franki, I'm glad when they choose to make cartoons out of good books because it does, indeed, draw attention to worthy books, and I can't fault Falconer for wanting to make a decent living, but it's way better when the cartoons are charming like Charlie and Lola. I think the Max and Ruby ones are cute, too, as are PBS's new Martha Speaks! cartoons.
Posted by: adrienne at April 7, 2009 07:45 AM
Now, I did not know this. (We don't have cable either.) I agree that, for mostly the reasons you named, it seems a bit off -- the leeeetle bit that I saw there. I also agree that the animated Charlie and Lola are both a hoot and a nanny. Very funny stuff.
Posted by: jules at April 7, 2009 09:55 AM
They really got Charlie and Lola's voices right on that show.
Posted by: adrienne at April 7, 2009 11:19 AM
The more Olivia, the better. ;)
Posted by: Olivia at April 7, 2009 05:44 PM
Well, nothing's as good as the *original* Olivia, of course. ;)
Posted by: adrienne at April 7, 2009 06:35 PM
Thank you for acknowledging that. ;)
Posted by: Olivia at April 7, 2009 08:23 PM