Description

"Irrepressible. Joyful. Vibrant and full of oomph!" —Andrea Beaty, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Rosie Revere, Engineer

"A stunning, energetic story full of clever humor, heart, and a reminder that art has no boundaries." —Ruth Chan, author-illustrator of Thank You, Neighbor

Debut author-illustrator Lian Cho delivers a hilariously cheeky picture book that celebrates the creativity of a young girl who breaks from the rigid traditions of her famous artist parents to make a colorful splash in her own unique style.

Presenting Olive Chen! The most magnificent and brilliant artist in the whole wide world! Her parents are also artists—serious artists—who paint prim, proper, perfect shapes. They know Olive has the talent to follow in their footsteps. But Olive likes to smear, splatter, splash, and even lick. With a brush in each hand, Olive cascades through town with her friends in tow, painting what she wants to, what she feels—until she reaches her parents’ pristine art museum. . .

A 2024 CBC Favorites Award winner

About the Author

Lian Cho is the author and illustrator of many goofy books. She was born in Taiwan and spent a large part of her childhood in New Zealand. Lian now works out of her Brooklyn studio, where she spends her days covered in paints and drinking far too much tea. In her spare time, she likes to make funny comics and bake copious amounts of banana bread. 

Lian Cho is the author and illustrator of many goofy books. She was born in Taiwan and spent a large part of her childhood in New Zealand. Lian now works out of her Brooklyn studio, where she spends her days covered in paints and drinking far too much tea. In her spare time, she likes to make funny comics and bake copious amounts of banana bread. 

Praise For…

"Irrepressible. Joyful. Vibrant and full of oomph! Olive Chen is the artist of the year!"  — Andrea Beaty, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Rosie Revere, Engineer

"Lian Cho has managed to bring together a visually stunning, energetic story full of clever humor, heart, and a reminder that art has no boundaries. Olive is someone we all hope to be more like!" — Ruth Chan, author-illustrator of Thank You, Neighbor

"An infectiously gleeful celebration of art and being true to yourself." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"This smile-inducing read-aloud celebrates being yourself and embracing your talents." — Booklist (starred review)

"The exuberant, brightly colored, non-representational art that Olive chooses is fun, and young students will be excited to try out some of the splashing and smearing that Olive does. This is a pithy story about finding your own voice, even when adults keep coming in the way." — School Library Journal

"Irresistible." — Publishers Weekly

"Cho creates a loveable and energetic protagonist who cultivates and defines her unique art style rather than following her parents’ expectations and societal norms. With a delightful, surprising ending, this will make an easy pick for little artists to celebrate the joys and triumphs of creating art with no boundaries." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books