Ask any book loving toddler who Olivia is, and you're likely to get a big smile and an enthusiastic description of a rambunctious, creative, and lovable little girl in return. The author, Ian Falconer, studied art at the Parsons School of Design at New York University. After graduating, Falconer designed sets and costumes for stage productions in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and London, and also made a name for himself as an illustrator for The New Yorker.

When Falconer first met his niece Olivia he was entranced by her. He wanted to make her a gift, and there the first Olivia book was born. Inspired by the style of Dr. Seuss, Falconer creates uncluttered images in black and white with occasional splashes of red, paired with equally minimal stories describing the antics of everyone's favorite imaginative little girl.

"She's not really a bratty character but she does get away with a lot," Falconer says of his creation. "She manages to do what she wants, create havoc and sort of gets away with it, because whatever she's doing, it's also kind of interesting. I think Olivia could possibly be a little more thoughtful of others, but she'd be not nearly as much fun."