From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2. Oliver Tolliver thinks that his "one-of-each" treasures are perfect until he realizes that something is missing?a friend. A singular picture book with a bouncy text and comical animal characters. Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Kirkus Reviews
An exuberant story in singsong about the pleasures of sharing with friends, from the author of The Seven Silly Eaters (p. 223). Oliver Tolliver, perhaps an Airedale terrier, thinks he has the perfect home, for he has one of everything he needs. He invites a small gray tabby cat, Peggoty Small, in to admire his accoutrements, but is dismayed that she finds his arrangements less than inviting. Oliver makes haste to equip his house more hospitably and is soon sharing his happy home not only with Peggoty but with a whole party of new friends as well. The simple story is borne along in lighthearted verse and busy, full-bleed paintings; children will enjoy touring Oliver's ``little old tumbledown house,'' with its riot of colors, jumble of patterns, curvaceous furniture, and dancing perspectives. Finding all the things Oliver adds to his house to make it fit for two is a pleasant challenge. (Picture book. 4-7) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Book Description
"Oliver Toliver has one of everything in his home: one table, one chair, one plum, one pear. To him, it's perfect. But one day he realizes that there's no way for anyone else to enjoy it with him. How can Oliver make room for two in his one-of-each house? Illustrated with wit and whimsy by Caldecott Honor winner Marjorie Priceman, Mary Ann Hoberman's lively tale offers a gentle message about the importance of sharing that every child can appreciate."


Card catalog description
Oliver Tolliver, who lives alone in his little house with just one of everything, discovers that it is more fun to have two of everything and share with a friend.


About the Author
"Mary Ann Hoberman is a poet and the critically acclaimed author of many books for children; including the beloved A House is a House For Me, which won a National Book Award. Ms. Hoberman gives readings in libraries and schools, and her poems are included in countless anthologies. Marjorie Priceman is the illustrator of many books for children, including Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, a Caldecott Honor Book and a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children's Book."

ANNOTATION

Oliver Tolliver, who lives alone in his little house with just one of everything, discovers that it is more fun to have two of everything and share with a friend.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Oliver Tolliver, who lives alone in his little house with just one of everything, discovers that it is more fun to have two of everything and share with a friend.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

A proud and amiable pooch discovers there's some truth to the saying "the more the merrier" when he tires of being alone in his house filled with "one of each thing." The dog, named Oliver Tolliver, lives "in a little old tumbledown house of his own" where a decor that features "one little bedroom and one little bed/ With one little pillow for under his head" and "one little bookcase with one little book" suits him perfectly. But when he invites "Miss P. [a cat] ...over for afternoon tea," she fails to appreciate his living arrangement, and Oliver soon adopts a more generous attitude. Through Hoberman's (A House Is a House for Me) jaunty, rhyming text, Oliver's self-discovery unfolds at a brisk pace. The steady rhythm of her verse fairly sings: "Oh, dearie, how dreary, with just one of each." Priceman's (Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin) stretched perspectives alternate between panoramic views of the stately home with its Parisian flare (e.g., a festive round tablewith tea setting for onecovered with a red-white-and-blue checked cloth, on a tiled floor with open doorways all about) and close-ups that reveal a hovering loneliness (a double-spread still life of an asymmetrical couch with a seated Oliver and assorted solo pieces of fruit). Slightly angular depictions of the expressive Oliver sporting a dusty, golden coat and tender black eyes give the story a strong emotional backbone. And Priceman's bright reds, pinks and aquamarines render the one-of-each house truly one-of-a-kind. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

Children's Literature - Anne Hale

When Olliver Tolliver has gained one of each of everything to furnish his one little house, he invites Peggoty Small to come over for a visit. Peggoty is not the least impressed with his one of each house. Olliver has to learn the hard way that when there is only one of everything, there cannot be joy for two. Olliver remedies the situation by once again buying one of everything. Now Olliver and Peggoty can enjoy his two of everything house. The message of sharing will be appreciated by kids and adults. The illustrations by Caldecott honor artist Priceman are bright and funny, which helps this little morality tale from becoming heavy handed.

Parent Council Reviews

Sharing is a hard concept for children. Even harder is learning to share with many. Oliver Tolliver shows children how his house is perfect for one person. Oliver enjoys his house so much that he wants to show it to a friend. He soon discovers that he only has one of everything and can't share his house with just one chair, one plate, one cup and one saucer. Oliver does learn how to share with not just one more person, but with several. Children will enjoy identifying the rhyming words as well as the sing-song text. 2000, Little, Brown and Company, $5.95. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: S. Saverline SOURCE: Parent Council Volume 8

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2Oliver Tolliver, a dapper and bewhiskered hound, is quite content with his home and possessions, of which he's collected "one of each"one bedroom, one bed, one pear, one peach, etc. Hoping to share this perfection with someone, he invites a cat, Peggoty Small, to visit and admire. She, however, finds the situation dreary and leaves him to his solitary splendor. After quickly re-assessing his philosophy, Oliver dashes out to duplicate his belongings and, on her second visit, Peggoty is delighted. As his circle of friends grows, Oliver discovers that one peach sliced into small pieces and shared among many tastes is far better than the entire fruit eaten in lonely isolation. Hoberman's cleverly contrived poetry begs to be read aloud and the repeated refrain encourages listeners to complete the rhyme. As in Lloyd Moss's Zin! Zin! Zin! (S & S, 1995), Priceman's gouache illustrations and full-page layouts perfectly capture the bouncy, lilting rhythm as objects exuberantly careen around and assume whimsical poses. The artist's use of line is masterful and the palette is unusual and appealing. Young audiences will be charmed by the many jaunty details of canine domesticity that enhance the lighthearted moral tale. A "peachy" offering from a talented team.Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ

School Library Journal