From Powells.com
J.otto
Seibold and Vivian
Walsh are the George and Ira Gershwin of children's books. Okay, maybe that's
a stretch. But they are a remarkable team. In 1993 the husband and wife
collaboration published their first book, Mr.
Lunch Takes a Plane Ride. A perfectly proportioned blend of whimsy and style,
this hilarious and improbable tale of a Picasso-faced little dog was an immediate
hit with kids and adults alike. The pair's subsequent books have all become perennial
bestsellers, and Seibold's playful, Matisse-with-a-Mac illustrations made him
something of an icon among designers. Perhaps the pair's best-known work, though,
is Olive the Other Reindeer, which was recently made into the most popular
animated Christmas special since How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The story's
plot is simple. A little dog named Olive misunderstands the words to "Rudolph
the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Instead of "All of the other reindeer"
she hears "Olive, the other reindeer," and thinks, "I thought I
was a dog. Hmmm. I must be a Reindeer." Happy to have cleared that up, Olive
catches a bus well, it takes a couple of buses and heads to the
North Pole. Fortunately, Olive is just in time to join Santa and the other reindeer
in their Christmas Eve duties. As usual, the writing is both simple enough for
a child and witty enough for an adult, but what makes Olive the Other Reindeer
stand heads and shoulders above the other Christmas books crowding the shelves
are Seibold's wonderfully waggish illustrations. Farley, Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Olive is merrily preparing for Christmas when suddenly she realizes "Olive... the other Reindeer... I thought I was a dog. Hmmm, I must be a Reindeer!" So she quickly hops aboard the polar express and heads to the North Pole. And while Santa and the other reindeer are a bit surprised that a dog wants to join the their team, in the end Olive and her unusual reindeer skills are just what Santa and his veteran reindeer team need. Colorful graphic illustrations accompany this zany dog story from the well-known author and artist team, Vivian and J.otto Seibold. Adorable Olive and her hilarious adventures are sure to make anyone's Christmas merry.
Review
"Silly, but slightly amusing for kids who can appreciate the play on words and doggie humor." Marilyn Courtot, Children's Literature
Review
Seibold and Walsh specialize in street-smart art and convoluted story-lines....Seibold's illustration style [is] a sort of cubism for the '90s. His computer-generated, airbrush-smooth characters resemble digital icons, but their asymmetrical quality lends them a hand-drawn warmth. The spreads are abuzz with comical details." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Seibold's story, its predictability obvious from the start, doesn't quite live up to its promising title. The idea of another person, animal or toy...helping Santa to deliver the gifts on Christmas Eve...is tired and worn-out. Only the very young will find this story amusing....The text even contains a spelling error. Definitely not worth the price." Gail Hamilton, CM: Canadian Review of Materials
Synopsis
An unforgettable new character from the creator of the hilarious
Goodnight iPad
Nicholas Duck loves Christmas, and he also loves the new Santa hat thats mysteriously delivered to his house. But when his friends see him and immediately launch into their Christmas lists, he doesnt know what to do . . . until he runs into Santa himself! David Milgrims exuberant holiday story is a joy to read aloud, and the silly animals and bright colors make it a perfect for board book audiences. Jingle quack, jingle quack . . .”
Synopsis
The beloved Olive is back and ready for the holidays. Children will love to play with their favorite member of Santa's reindeer team. And just like in the book, Olive has her very own pair of removable reindeer antlers!
Synopsis
Olive the Other Reindeer, the bestselling book about an adorable dog who saves Christmas, is now paired with a delightful doll in a fun boxed set. It's the perfect gift to make anyone's Christmas merry.
Synopsis
This beautiful deluxe edition marks the tenth anniversary of J.otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh's modern Christmas classicthe story of a little dog named Olive with big reindeer dreams! When the book was first published in 1997, it enjoyed great reviews and has since sold more than 1 million copies. This new edition is a larger version of the original book, and itfeatures flaps to lift, spots to scratch and sniff, and a pop-up grand finale. Designed to be a perfect holiday gift, this edition will appeal to Olive's many fans and is sure to make new ones.
Synopsis
A companion to the new deluxe edition of Olive, the Other Reindeerand a wonderful Christmas gift in its own rightthis advent calendar offers an engaging and interactive way to count down to Christmas. And just like Olive is no ordinary "reindeer," this is no ordinary advent calendar! Featuring an intricate pop-up of Santa's castle in the center, the calendar has a surprise for each day leading up to Christmasa punch-out figure that children can stand up and place around the castle, whether it's Santa, a reindeer, or Olive herself! By the time December 25 arrives, the calendar will have become a very merry Christmas scene!
About the Author
J.otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh live in California with their two daughters, Theadora and Amelia; and their two dogs, Olive and Mr. Lunch. J.otto draws all the time. It's his job. He's a professional. He draws on a computer, which makes him sort of like a scientist. But he doesn't wake up until noon, which makes him like an artist. J.otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh have illustrated four books for children: Mr. Lunch Takes a Ride, Mr. Lunch Borrows a Canoe, Monkey Business, and Free Lunch.