Olivia is having an identity crisis. She's always seemed so confident, but she does not know what she should be. "You'll always be my little princess!" her father says. But that's precisely the problem. All the girls want to be princesses. Olivia's quest to figure out her calling makes great entertainment for the whole family.
With his trademark humor, Ian Falconer depicts 17 dancing princesses with star-shaped wands, tiaras and pink tutus dancing. In the center of them stands Olivia, dressed in a blue-striped sailor top, straw hat, shades and pearls, carrying a red purse. "Why is it always a pink princess?" she asks. In answer, Falconer showcases Olivia modeling the attire of princesses from India, Thailand, Africa and China. She points out that everyone auditions for the part of the fairy princess ballerina at school. Olivia, on the other hand, is developing "a more stark, modern style." In a series of images that resemble sepia-toned photographs, Olivia strikes Martha Graham-style poses (later, a photo of the innovative dancer-choreographer appears over Olivia's bed).
Poor Olivia can't even ditch the princesses when it comes to her bedtime story. She keeps herself awake imagining the possibilities for her future. Her fans will be delighted when she arrives at the perfect solution. Olivia once again eschews the status quo for individuality and a grand sense of style. She's a model of confidence, intelligence and being true to who she is. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness