written and illustrated by Tomie dePaolo
Harcourt Childrens Books, 1979. 48 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 4-8
Hardcover: $15.99
Annotation: Oliver Button doesn't like to play football with the other boys, he likes to dance.
Summary: Oliver Button doesn't like to do the things that boys do. He doesn't \
like sports because he is not very good at them. Instead, he loves to read and draw, play with dolls and jump rope in the woods. Oliver Button loves to dress up and pretend he is a movie star and he especially loves to dance. So his mother enrolls him for Ms. Leah's dance class and buys him some shiny new tap shoes. All the boys at school make fun of him and call him a sissy, even his father. But Oliver Button doesn't let that bother him and practices and practices anyway. One day at the local talent show he demonstrates what an amazing dancer he really is. Even though he doesn't win, his father finally tells him he is "great" and the next day at school, instead of being a sissy, he is a star.
Evaluation: Oliver Button is an endearing little boy and the dePaolo's use of both his first and last name is even more charming. But is the illustrations which make Oliver come to life. The tale follows the life of Oliver as he particpates in the things he loves, instead of following what society prescribes. Oliver Button tells an important truth and does so in a manner that children can both understand and learn from, while enjoying the fun and playful nature of dePaolo's artwork. As the School Library Journal says, “There is a good balance between the simple text . . . and the expressive pictures . . . an attractive little book.” Like, Oliver, dePaolo also loved to draw more than play sports and look where that landed him, with numerous awards and this year's Wilder winner.
Significance: It's not easy being different, but this book helps children realize it is okay for boys to like hobbies that have been traditionally assigned to the female gender. Even when everyone is telling you to do one thing, if you follow your heart, it will be okay in the end.
Personal Choice: Admittedly, the title of this book immediately captured by attention and I had to find out just what Oliver Button was up to.
Awards: Laura Ingalls Wilder Winner, 2011 / IRA-CBC Children's Choice
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