Set Your TiVo: This Little Piggy

Olivia by Ian Falconer was one of the first contemporary children's books I fell in love with when Kate was little. We would spend hours scouring the kids' section at the bookstore but always gravitated back to our favorite little pig with the big personality.

Olivia is smart without being sassy, knows how to work a red leotard, uses her imagination to the fullest, and is fairly tolerant of her brothers (although the second one didn't come along till Falconer's later books).

Much to the delight of us all, Olivia will step into full-color animation starting at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT) Monday, Jan. 26, on Nickelodeon. The show's geared for preschoolers, who will love the relaxed pacing and subtle lessons. I yearned for a bit more of Olivia's independent spirit that Falconer so beautifully constructed in print, but her essence is definitely there in the two episodes I previewed, "Olivia Measures Up" and "Olivia Plays Hotel."

Overall, a thumb's up for what will quickly become every little piggy's favorite!