That little robot Rolie Polie Olie returns in this fourth picture-book devoted to his adventures, this time getting himself into a bit of trouble, when he decides that he isn't the right size. Considered too small to accompany his parents on a trip, but too big to jump on the bed, Olie uses the shrink-and-grow-a-later to alter his size, first shrinking himself, and then making himself into a giant. Predictably, these changes don't really help him to feel much better...

Originally published in 2002 and then reprinted this year (2018) in this new edition, Big Time Olie is the fourth and thus far last full-sized picture-book about this round little robot and his happy-go-lucky world, although there have also been some board books, as well as an animated television show. Of the four picture-books, I think that it is the weakest. The narrative doesn't quite work for me, perhaps because it is missing that bouncy feeling I got from the first three books. Of course, this series in general isn't my favorite, of William Joyce's work - I prefer the Guardians of Childhood books, and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - but even so, this one just fell flat for me. Still, tastes vary, and I suspect that enthusiastic fans of the Rolie Polie Olie franchise will enjoy this one. ( )

Our friend Olie is frustrated with being too little to do all the fun things adults get to do. He uses the families shrink-and-grow-a-lator to solve his problem. At first, he shrinks himself so tiny that his sister almost steps on him. Then he makes himself big, real big. Of course, he gets into trouble, but it's ok because he realized he didn't want to be so big after all. ( )