Ollie's Odyssey

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Discuss the change in dynamics between Billy being the protector of Ollie to Ollie being the protector of Billy.

Well Kirkus can suck it, because although it's true that this story was probably somewhat inspired by The Velveteen Rabbit, "Toy Story," and even perhaps "The Brave Little Toaster," it's still one of the most unique middle grade novels I've read in awhile. They do everything together, go everywhere together (so long as their mom says so), and to Billy, Ollie is so much more than a simple toy. On October 6, 2020, Netflix director Teddy Biaselli revealed that Lost Ollie had been picked up by the streaming platform, mentioning that the series had been in the works since 2016. Joyce (the Guardians of Childhood series) delivers a deliciousremix of classic movie and storybook themes: imprisoned toys, talking junkyardfriends, and a doll lost a generation ago.This toy may have been homemade, but it didn’t look odd or shabby—it looked steadfast and unusually charming. It was Aventurous (as Billy and Ollie would say), heartwarming, giggle-inducing, and high-stakes action. The bad guys are really bad and scary, enough to get you concerned about the fate of the main characters.

Many children's books have been written about the secret life of toys, but Joyce's storytelling and original characters elevate this novel. Though tense moments abound in this all-boy adventure, it's always clear that Billy and Ollie will prevail. Even if you're not into this kind of thing, you can't deny that Joyce does an excellent job taking a familiar concept and making it his own.I loved the way they talked about the world around them, that breaking the rules was "illegal", that during their play times they were going on an A-venture and that brave was something to have "I hope I have enough brave to do this". When Zozo'sarmy of Creeps ("stunted, scroungy creatures" made from bits oftrash) "toynap" Ollie, Billy sets out with his lightsaber and somesnacks to rescue him.

He and his toy henchman, the Creeps, have sworn to steal and imprison favorite toys until they forget their children and become forever lost. Billy’s mother had a keen eye and a mother’s instinct to guide her as she made this funny little rabbit toy.Joyce diverges from the hyperbolic, pleasurably bizarre imagery he created for The Leaf Men and Dinosaur Bob in this digitally enhanced but uneventful picture book. Not far from Billy's house lie the remainsof an abandoned carnival, where an embittered toy clown, Zozo, has growncrooked and cruel with hate. The clown villain is unnecessarily horror movie creepy in the illustrations, so we waited until my kids were 9 and 11 for this one.

What you don't expect is the beautiful and somewhat terrifying characterizations + drawings of the friends and enemies Ollie meets during his capture. Dinosaur Bob fans should rejoice: in his latest work, Joyce pulls out all the stops and introduces the weirdest family since his Lazardo clan. The themes of love, loyalty, bravery, and remembering were inspiring, especially because of the age of the characters. Joyce's full-page illustrations in rich but muted tones capture deeply emotional moments and reinforce the novel's nostalgic mood. Does he tell the truth, or lie so they believe him, or make a compromise and tell half-truths so he is believed?

THough there are some minor "Grim/Dark" overtones, this is still an engaging, fast-paced read, suitable for middle-grade readers (or perhaps adults who are young-at-heart), and it really illustrates what "Children's Literature" can (and should) stand for. His army of Creeps (wicked minions built fromscraps) kidnaps the toys Zozo despises most--favorites--and his sights are set onOllie.