Ollie and Claire

by Tiffany Strelitz Haber, Matthew Cordell (Illustrator)

Overview

Ollie and Claire are as tight as two friends can be. Every day they picnic together, every day they do yoga together, and every evening they eat dinner together. But when Claire longs to break free from this routine and dreams of traveling the world, she worries that Ollie would never join her. So she takes matters into her own hands and finds a mysterious travel partner when she sees a sign posted on a tree. Who could it be? And how can she ever tell Ollie? 

With a fun twist leading to a surprise ending, Ollie and Claire is a sweet and fun tribute to dynamic duos everywhere, who might feel the need to mix things up every once in a while.  

 

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101627075
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	04/18/2013
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	23 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Tiffany Strelitz Haber ( www.itsrhymetime.com) was born in New Jersey, raised in New York City, has traveled extensively, and lives for adventures. She currently lives with her family in central New Jersey.


Matthew Cordell (www.matthewcordell.com) was born in Greenville, South Carolina, into a family of auto mechanics and car enthusiasts, so naturally, he became an artist. He now lives in the Chicago area with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their daughter.

Editorial Reviews

Best friends Ollie and Claire have a real zest for life: the two dogs’ active routine includes yodeling, yoga, swimming, running, and “dinners of bologna on white, promptly at 7:15.” Can their friendship survive Claire’s thirst for even more adventure? It’s a desire she plans to satisfy by responding to an anonymous sign she sees posted in town: “Travel friend wanted for round-the-world journey!/ Come circle the planet with me!” Visions of exploration and discovery fill Claire’s head, but guilt about abandoning her friend soon sets in. Readers may suspect they know how this story is going to turn out, and they’d be right; Cordell (hello! hello!) even tucks in a few visual clues about the identity of the mystery adventurer into his typically energetic pencil-and-watercolor artwork. However, while the ending may not come as a surprise, Haber’s (The Monster Who Lost His Mean) rhymes are both metrically precise and delightfully original, conveying Claire’s growing enthusiasm and anxiety as her “trip of a lifetime” approaches. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Teresa Kietlinski, the Prospect Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

09/01/2013
PreS-Gr 1—"Ollie and Claire were a tightly knit pair,/like hot buttered biscuits and jam." So begins this heartwarming, rhyming story about two adorable pooches whose friendship is tested when one develops a longing for adventure. Ollie and Claire have a routine that includes a lot of interesting activities such as yodeling, yoga, and running hurdles, but even so, Claire can't resist when she sees an advertisement for a travel companion. "Do you love hula dancing and/sledding through snow?/Do you feel like you need/to explore?/Adventure is calling,/let's go go go go!/Meet me here Monday at 4." Resolved to follow her heart, Claire packs her bags but then has a moment of pause when she thinks about leaving Ollie behind. In the meantime, visual clues will lead observant readers to the happy conclusion, which is reminiscent of a well-known romantic comedy. The charm of this book resides less in its familiar plot than in the well-constructed text and amusing pen and watercolor illustrations. With their fresh palette and energetic characters, these pictures are a vital partner in the telling of this sweet and satisfying tale.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

School Library Journal