Children's Book Reviews

Page One of Three

Big Time Olie by William Joyce
Laura Geringer Books, October, 2002
Picture Book, 40 pages
ISBN: 0060088109
Ages 2-8
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

Big Time Olie
by William Joyce

Olie's Mom and Dad have left on a trip, but they tell Olie he is too little to go. This does not sit well at all with Olie. "I'm not the right size for anything!" he shouts. But Olie finds a shrink-and-grow-a-lator, a device than can make his little body larger or smaller. Of course, Olie wants to be bigger and he turns on the machine by pressing the button. Unfortunately, Olie presses the wrong button and he shrinks himself. Suddenly, the world is very dangerous and he has to avoid his sister Zowie who thinks he is a little dolly. Fortunately, his dog spot rescues him. Olie tries the machine again and manages to super-size himself. He goes off to have fun as his new greatly expanded self. The gigantic Rolie leaps into outer space and gets ice cream at the ice cream planet. But the good times quickly come to an end when Olie bumps his head on the Moon and scalds his bottom on the hot Sun. Sad Olie crash lands on Mount Big Ball where he cries and cries for his family. He is tired of being shrunken Olie or enlarged Olie. He only wants to be a regular-sized Polie. Luckily, his family shows up and they use the device to return Olie back to his regular size. Olie is so happy to be back to normal and with his family that he sings a song about it. "I was a sorry, sad Olie. I've been a mad and bad Polie. I won't be in such a hurry to grow all Rolie up!"

The latest Rolie book is absolutely charming and is full of delightful, colorful drawings from William Joyce. Joyce draws the characters' heads very large so children can easily tell whether Olie is sad, worried or happy, and share in his moods. Joyce even draws curious little faces on other objects: a bowl, a swing set, a house and planets. Like the others in the series, this new Rolie adventure teaches an important message in a fun and exciting way. Children will stay happily entertained with Joyce's fun story and large, amusing drawings.

The Christmas Story, Gospel According to St. Luke by Julia Alvarez
HarperCollins, October, 2002
Picture Book, 32 pages
ISBN: 0060288825
All Ages
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

The Christmas Story, Gospel According to St. Luke
Pictures by James Bernadin

Artist James Bernadin creates an inspiring and beautiful book with his latest project: the illustration of the story of the birth of Jesus, as told in the Gospel according to St. Luke in the St. James version of the bible. "And it came to pass in those day, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city." So starts the story, which sets Mary and Joseph on the path to Bethlehem. Bernadin's paintings are dreamy and awe-inspiring; the scene of the shepherds who are visited by the angel of the Lord is depicted in cool blue and white tones which suggest a heavenly visitor. The baby Jesus is shown in the manger with his adoring parents; a golden light shines from the infant. This is a must-have for Christian parents who wish to share the story of Jesus' birth with their children. The simple text and the lovely paintings which radiate love and joy make this a perfect book to be read aloud every Christmas Eve.

Children's Book Reviews
Page One | Page Two | Page Three

Return to Book Reviews Index

Children's Book Reviews

Big Time Olie by William Joyce

The Christmas Story, Gospel According to St. Luke by Julia Alvarez