MORE TALES OF OLIVER PIG

by Jean Van Leeuwen ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1981

Like Van Leeuwen's first five Tales of Oliver Pig, these homey family stories lack the resonance of Lobel's own but make some pleasant little episodes of their standard material. The first story is slight, if positive in outlook: Oliver plants a special seed at the end of father's garden, and when it grows into a large squash the family enjoys it for dinner. ""I grew it myself,"" said Oliver. ""I think that is what makes it taste so good,"" says Father. ""More,"" says little sister Amanda. In the second, amusingly, Mother climbs a tree to be alone after a trying day with Oliver and Amanda ""helping"" with the housework. Later, recognizably, Mother takes a day off and the children complain because Grandmother doesn't do things quite as Mother does. But the story ends with songs, and then with glowing reports to Mother, just as the earlier one ends in Mother coming down from the tree (""I got lonesome for my Oliver and Amanda"") and the last one--the inevitable bedtime delaying maneuvers--ends, inevitably, with hugs. Bathed in Lobel's charm and gentle humor, it holds up.

Pub Date: March 1, 1981

ISBN: 0140365540

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1981

Categories: CHILDREN'S