"Ollie wouldn't have minded, just once in a while,
adventuring by himself.
Without his sister.
Without grizzling.
But his mom might not have thought it was
Happy Family Time if he said that.
So Ollie kept quiet.
And looked for a spot by the window."
Ollie does not see the world through the same lens as others do. This book is about Ollie and his personal and imaginative observations. His sister is bigger - and older - and very grizzly. She feels totally confident that she knows what is best for everyone concerned. Ollie prefers not to say too much when his sister is in a mood.
On a family adventure into the country, Ollie's sister gripes about not having an ice cream. Ollie would like to gripe about his sister, or to be somewhere she is not. He doesn't want to upset his mother, so he says nothing. She doesn't like the cows they are passing in a rail side pasture. Ollie sees the cows as water buffalo, horned and making loud noises. He thinks he would like them to meet up with his sister.
The same thing happens on their way to visit Grandma. Held up by slow traffic, his sister complains. She decides she doesn't like all the cars. Ollie sees a circus parade, with ball-balancing seals and acrobatic rats. No matter where they go, his sister sees one thing, and Ollie sees another. Because he sees things differently, his teacher suggests a need for glasses. His parents and sister agree. Ollie knows he does not need them. The majority vote prevails. Glasses are bought, worn, and rejected ... for most of the time. Ollie likes the world the way he sees it ... and that's okay!
Expressive, humorous watercolor and ink illustrations ensure individuality in a young pig who likes being who he is.
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