Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 Oh, so true to life!! November 8, 2008
I am saddened by the personal experience of another reviewer with heartless people. I wanted to comment, though, that while this is not how things worked out for them, this book could easily have been written as an autobiographical account of events for one of my dearest friends - indeed, my highschool sweetheart - who was a dancer, singer and actor with thick, long, wavy hair ... Oh boy, did he attract more than his fair share of teasing and bullying all the way through to our final year of high school. But, just like Oliver Button, he persevered, because he LOVED the arts - and still does, twenty years later!
At the beginning of our final year, we had a talent show for our grade. When he took to the stage, he copped the usual taunts from the 'cool jocks' in the audience ... and then he started to dance. He captivated the entire audience, including those who had teased him mercilessly for years. One of the teenage boys started to call something out after my friend had begun, but he was quickly punched in the arm and silenced by another teenager, higher up in the leadership ranks of the 'cool' group - something I was somewhat surprised, but delighted, to witness. My friend went on that evening to not only win the Dance portion of the talent show, but was also the Overall Winner of the entire talent show. He was never teased again, but instead admired and congratulated for his enormous talent and, I believe, for his persistence in the face of all that teasing, when it surely would have been easier to give it all up and just "fit in". Oliver Button had his shining moment at about seven years of age. My friend had to wait and persevere until sixteen for his! I will never forget that evening. And I will always hold in my heart the lesson of being true to yourself and what you love, even when (perhaps especially when) confronted by the mindless and cruel taunts of others and their smallminded expectations about what you should do/be/have.
I think this is an absolutely fabulous book, as does my eight year old son - he was cheering for Oliver Button all the way. The illustrations are so expressive and it is beautifully written. Another wonderful title by Tomie de Paola - highly recommended!! :-)
Oliver Button Is A Star! September 8, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
OLIVER BUTTON IS A SISSY, by Tomie dePaola, is a very special book. Aimed at young children (but meaningful at any age), OLIVER BUTTON IS A SISSY tells the story of a little boy, Oliver, who doesn't what to do "normal" boy things. He isn't very athletic, but he likes to walk in the woods, draw pictures, wear costumes and put on plays, read, and most of all, Oliver loves to dance. His parents enroll him in a dance class, "...for the exercise," says his father. The other boys tease him and call him names. The girls have to come to his rescue. But Oliver practices and practices his dancing. In the end, even though he does not win the local talent show, everyone realizes that Oliver is special. Oliver Button is a star.
This book has a lot of meaning for my best friend and me, and I am thrilled that I am able to share it with my daughters, ages 11 and 3. Both of them have enjoyed reading this book with me over the years. I have heard the older one reading it to the younger one, because she (the older one) likes it so much. Currently, it is on the wee one's list of frequently asked for books. I asked my three year old why she likes it so much. "Because, Mommy, Oliver loves all of the things I do, he tries hard like me, and he can be anything he wants, just like me. He is my friend." My amazing child is very astute. She has gotten everything that I could want her to out of this story. Do what you love, do your best, don't listen to peer pressure, be who you are...and you will succeed. We are all unique, all gifted, all special. That is the very special, very important message of OLIVER BUTTON IS A SISSY.
"If I believe it, I can be anything, anything at all."
a different child May 10, 2008
oliver button is a very charming, candid, outspoken boy of about seven....he does not possess the usual desires of small american lads; instead he prefers walking in woods,playing w dolls and costuming himself. papa and the kids call him a sissy.Read this delightful tale to see how olivers tauntings change remarkably....And tomie de paolas drawings are the best...
ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHILDHOOD BOOKS !!! April 16, 2008
I identified with this book so much as a kid, and i still do now as I read it to my own children.
My mother was always scared to read it to me because she knew I was a little "different" and didn't want to encourage it, but i took a solace in it.... and Oliver Button was my hero.
I wanted to be his friend, Because, through this simple book, he was my friend.
This is an excellent story for pre-k-2nd graders. It is a step beyond the simplicity of Todd Parr, but they play in the same field.
It is real and lives in a real world where the out of the ordinary people don't always fit, and strange looks ensue.
Please buy this and read it to your children, they will thank you for it.
A Great Story for Self-Worth May 13, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book describes how Oliver is happy, not playing sports like all the other boys, but taking dance lessons. His parent support him, but at school, he is called a sissy. After a community talent show, which Oliver does not win, his schoolmates realize he is a winner. Oliver stuck with his dreams and desires, against the odds. To me, this story is great for kids, as it illustrates how to stick with something if it is what you desire. It has a great message for children as well as care-givers. The illustrations are wonderful, too.
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