Buried in mail, expense reports and yet-unwatched screeners right now, and yet I had to share the news that Nickelodeon is bringing one of my favorite modern-day children’s books to TV. Olivia, based on the books by Ian Falconer, debuts Jan. 26.
I haven’t seen the show yet—and I’m a bit worried about seeing Olivia in CG animation—but I love Olivia as a character. For starters, because, though she’s sweet and essentially well-intentioned, Olivia is also bossy and a little self-absorbed.
There’s a great scene in Olivia and the Missing Toy in which, after the toy in question is nibbled to death by the family dog, Olivia’s mother tries to present it as a life lesson about accepting loss. She reminds Olivia that, after all, dogs chew things sometimes and no one can help it. This doesn’t console Olivia one bit. Then her father, who had been obliviously reading the newspaper, breezily promises to fix everything by taking her out to buy “the best toy in the world.” Olivia thanks him gushingly: “Oh, Daddy! I love you more than anyone!”
The only follow-up comment—a murderous, silent glare of Olivia’s mom toward her dad—usually passed straight over the heads of Tuned In Jr. and Tuned In Jr. Jr., but it’s probably not lost on many parents reading the book. Here’s hoping the TV series is half as funny and acute.
