Where Oliver Fits by C. Atkinson

Abstract

Atkinson, Cale. Where Oliver Fits. Toronto, Tundra Books, 2017.
 Oliver is a unique little puzzle piece with a cute round head smattered with blue and orange. He wants to be part of a bigger picture and goes on a journey to find where he fits. As he finds different puzzles, he discovers that the other puzzle pieces are not like him at all. Some puzzle pieces complain that he does not have enough of the right colour to fit properly. Others say that he is not the right shape. Determined to find his place in the world, he decides that he needed to be more like others in order to be accepted.
 He uses creative strategies to change his shape and colour, however, after continuing to be rejected, he becomes desperate enough to create a disguise to finally fit into a puzzle. Although he finally finds his fit, Oliver begins to question whether or not it was right to pretend he was someone else and learns that it is better to be himself. 
 This is a wonderful story of imagination. Children learn through the eyes of Oliver that it is better to be one’s true self rather than changing to fit in. The illustrations are bright, colourful, and capture all the conflicting emotions that Oliver goes through. Designed for children ages 3-7, this book provides a good moral lesson in a fun and creative way. 
 Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Janice Kung
 Janice Kung is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta, John W. Scott Health Sciences Library. She obtained her undergraduate degree in commerce and completed her MLIS degree in 2013. She believes that the best thing to beat the winter blues is to cuddle up on a couch and lose oneself in a good book.