“Olivia was the first grandchild in my family, and everyone was entranced by her,” says Falconer, explaining that the Olivia character is an amalgamation of his niece, siblings and himself, and her stories are based on “real incidents and aspects of life.” The honor is bestowed by the Association for Library Service to Children to artists of what the association deems the most distinguished American picture books for children.
Falconer’s first book, Olivia, came out in 2000 and won the Caldecott Medal in 2001. “Children are a devastatingly critical audience, and I am terrible at readings and speaking in public,” insists Falconer, although some of his best friends disagree. Featuring the irresistibly precocious little girl piglet who learns by one lesson at a time that all things are possible with imagination, determination and willingness to listen, the series includes Falconer’s recent release Olivia and the Fairy Tale Princesses (Simon & Schuster), which is currently #2 on the New York Times list of children’s best-sellers.
An impromptu gift for his young niece became the successful and critically acclaimed Olivia series. Noted New Yorker magazine cover illustrator Ian Falconer didn’t begin his career wanting to write children’s books.
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