Title: Olive
Author: Darlene Boll
Major Themes: Christian Families, Easy Readers, Family Life, Foster Care
Synopsis: A little girl does not have a home, and goes to live with a Christian family.
I remember reading Olive many years ago, when I was a child. More recently, I read it to my oldest child when she was six or seven. I never got around to reading it to any of the other children, but my 5-year-old begs for stories to be read to him, so this was one of our recent choices. He really enjoyed it, especially since he could figure out parts of the story ahead of time by studying the pictures. Then, he could find out how it happened by listening to me read.
Olive is a little girl who can’t live with her parents. The woman she is living with doesn’t like her, and sends her away. Soon, Olive is at the office with Miss Margaret, and the Morrison family comes in. Joy Morrison becomes a friend of Olive, and then Olive goes home with the family. Mother teaches her to obey, and makes her a dress. Joy plays with Olive and takes her for a ride in the goat cart. The whole family enjoys time together, going to church and having a picnic at the pond.
This story will help your young children understand the challenges foster children have to deal with, and the things they must learn when they first live with a Christian family. You will appreciate a glimpse into the life of a Christian family. Though it deals with a difficult subject, that of foster care, the story is told so gently that even very young, sheltered children will love it. It is also an easy reader. A first-grader should be able to read it.
No warnings!
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 3 – 4, 5 – 8
Reading Independently—Ages 7 – 9, 8 – 12
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
Other Places: Milestone Books—Paperback
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