Oliver Button Is a Sissy Book

Oliver likes to partake in activities that the other boys don't like to do. His parents decide that he needs to get some type of exercise, so Oliver decides that he wants to take dance classes. He really likes it, but the boys at school tease him for it; they tease him even more when some female classmates have to defend him. Someone even goes as far as writing 'OLIVER BUTTON IS A SISSY' on a wall. He feels sad, but hears about a school talent show and decides to sign up. He performs, but he doesn't win. However, his family is very proud of him. He later sees that the words on the wall were changed to 'OLIVER BUTTON IS A STAR'.

This realistic fiction has a great message against bullying and against placing others in gender roles. Granted, today, some of the activities that Oliver partakes in aren't necessarily labeled as girl activities but children are still able to take away the underlying message of being accepting. What makes this story even more realistic is the fact that Oliver didn't meet acceptance upon winning the talent show; he actually didn't win the talent show at all. It's reassuring that his classmates still began looking at him in a better light even though he didn't get first place.

The diversity in the book is minimal in the book, but the message is there and prominent. The artwork goes with the story well even though it isn't overly engaging for the young reader. The story has a problem and a solution that is clear to the reader. Oliver remained strong even though he faced many obstacles and it eventually got better for him; this makes it fitting for elementary aged children to read. Conversation could revolve around telling students that there's no such thing as girl activities and boy activities, the detrimental nature of bullying, and the importance of being supportive of your peers.