Oh, Olive!
Out September 19 2023 from HarperCollins
Debut author-illustrator Lian Cho delivers a hilariously cheeky picture book that celebrates the creativity of a young girl who breaks from the rigid traditions of her famous artist parents to make a colorful splash in her own unique style.
Presenting Olive Chen! The most magnificent and brilliant artist in the whole wide world! Her parents are also artists—serious artists—who paint prim, proper, perfect shapes. They know Olive has the talent to follow in their footsteps. But Olive likes to smear, splatter, splash, and even lick. With a brush in each hand, Olive cascades through town with her friends in tow, painting what she wants to, what she feels—until she reaches her parents’ pristine art museum…
★ 2024 CBC Favorites Award Winner
★ Bank Street The Best Children's Books of the Year 2024
Awards & Recognition
A look inside…
Some nice words:
★ “This smile-inducing read-aloud celebrates being yourself and embracing your talents.”
— Booklist (starred review)
"The exuberant, brightly colored, non-representational art that Olive chooses is fun, and young students will be excited to try out some of the splashing and smearing that Olive does. This is a pithy story about finding your own voice, even when adults keep coming in the way."
— School Library Journal
“Irresistable.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Cho creates a loveable and energetic protagonist who cultivates and defines her unique art style rather than following her parents’ expectations and societal norms. With a delightful, surprising ending, this will make an easy pick for little artists to celebrate the joys and triumphs of creating art with no boundaries."
— Horn Book Magazine
★ "An infectiously gleeful celebration of art and being true to yourself."
— Kirkus (starred review)