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Where Oliver Fits

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Oliver has always dreamed about where he will fit. Will he be in the mane of a unicorn? The tentacle of a pirate squid? The helmet of an astronaut? When he finally goes in search of his perfect place, he finds that trying to fit in is a lot harder than he thought. But like any puzzle, a little trial and error leads to a solution, and Oliver figures out exactly where he belongs.

Where Oliver Fits is a sweet and funny story that explores all the highs and lows of learning to be yourself and shows that fitting in isn't always the best fit.

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2017

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About the author

Cale Atkinson

46 books174 followers
Cale Atkinson is an illustrator/writer/animator currently residing in Kelowna Canada.
Believing in tea more than sleep, Cale is constantly working on numerous projects. His work can be found in children’s books, animated shorts, television, and games.

Publishers Cale has worked with include Disney Hyperion, Tundra, Simon and Schuster, Doubleday, KidsCan Press, Owl Books, Grosset & Dunlap, GreyStone, Scholastic, Pearson, and Marvel.

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5 stars
364 (52%)
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229 (32%)
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91 (13%)
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12 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
Profile Image for Ari.
941 reviews1,339 followers
October 7, 2019
Every now and then I love a children's book so much, I really feel the need to add it to this account as well. Short review here
Profile Image for Carla.
7,001 reviews161 followers
April 21, 2017
This amazing little book has a powerful message. Using puzzle pieces to create a picture show that everyone does not always fit in every spot. Oliver can not find where he fits, so he tries to change in order to fit in with others. That works, except he realizes that he is no longer himself. He shakes off his disguise and is once again alone. When he meets up with others that do not fit, they realize that they fit together and complete the picture. It has a great theme about not changing yourself to fit in with colorful illustrations that are eye catching enough to keep kids glued to the book without realizing they’re learning a valuable lesson in the process. This is a great book to read to young ones as well as older students who seem to be having trouble fitting in. It is also a great resource when children are trying to figure out what their strengths are and that it is okay to have different interests. It’s the perfect book to add to your home library and for teachers to use in their classroom. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
Profile Image for Lorilin.
759 reviews234 followers
August 15, 2017
Oliver is a puzzle piece who doesn't feel like he fits anywhere. So he tries to change himself to fit in with the puzzle pieces around him. Unfortunately, he never seems to get it right, and he only ends up feeling more lonely and isolated than ever.

It isn't until he meets other pieces that don't quite fit either that he realizes he just needs to be himself. And once he does that, he happily discovers that he actually does have a place in the picture. (What a clever ending, btw!)

Overall, this was a really sweet story with a helpful message to all kids (and even adults) who struggle with feeling like they don't fit in.
Profile Image for Abigail.
7,573 reviews237 followers
February 5, 2019
Oliver was a crossword puzzle piece searching for his proper place in the bigger picture, but although he approached many different locations and puzzle-piece groups, he never seemed to fit in. He tried to alter various things about himself, from his color to his shape, but it never seemed to work. Even when he finally did find a place, it was only by dint of transforming so much that he longer felt like himself. Was there a way to be true to himself but also belong...?

A lovely and innovative exploration of ideas about belonging, conformity vs. individuality, and staying true to yourself while also trying to find your proper social milieu, Where Oliver Fits is also an entertaining tale with a most unlikely hero: a crossword puzzle piece! I sometimes feel that picture-book creators overshoot the mark, in their search for new and different kinds of creatures/objects to transform into heroes/heroines, and I did wonder, picking this one up, whether Cale Atkinson had fallen into that trap. As it turns out however, using a puzzle piece as a character in a story exploring ideas such as belonging and accepting yourself for who you truly are, was an inspired choice. The storytelling choices here just work, conceptually speaking, while the colorful artwork captures the sense of both fun and pathos to be found in the text. I particularly liked the conclusion, which emphasizes that everyone truly is part of a larger whole, a philosophical point that is sometimes missing from more sentimental explorations of finding a place to belong. Recommended to Cale Atkinson fans, and to anyone searching for new children's stories about belonging and/or being yourself.
Profile Image for Julie.
1,028 reviews23 followers
September 30, 2017
This is an amazing book about the price paid when you lose yourself by trying to fit in. This would be fantastic to use with older students, but will also be popular with younger kids. Beautiful illustrations and great message. Can't wait to share this book!
Profile Image for Noura.
396 reviews86 followers
April 25, 2017
Oliver is an adorable little puzzle who really tries everything he can think of in order to make himself into a shape that fits in better with his surroundings.

Cute story, precious illustrations but to in your face about the 'message' it's trying to convey.
Profile Image for Lori.
2,374 reviews51 followers
August 20, 2018
A book about the importance of being who we are . . . and appreciating the uniqueness of our own design.
Profile Image for Baby Bookworm.
1,642 reviews103 followers
May 9, 2018
https://thebabybookwormblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/02/where-oliver-fits-cale-atkinson/

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Where Oliver Fits by Cale Atkinson, a fantastic story of finding where you fit without compromising who you are.

Oliver is a puzzle piece, and like all puzzle pieces, he’s excited to find where he fits. He certainly hopes he’ll be a part of a super-awesome, exciting puzzle, but when he tries to fit into all the cool puzzles, they reject him. “Not enough red!” they say, or “too round, not square enough”. Oliver is sad, so he comes up with an idea: he will change the way he looks and is shaped so that he can fit in. But no matter what, he still stands out from the rest of the pieces, and they tease him away. Finally, in desperation, Oliver changes absolutely everything about himself, and finally finds an amazing puzzle to fit into. But when he sees his fellow pieces teasing other different-looking pieces, Oliver takes a hard look at himself and wonders: if he has to change everything about who he is to fit in, is it even still him anymore?

Fantastic. Using the wonderful puzzle piece metaphor, Atkinson teaches a valuable lesson in when the price of “fitting in” becomes a burden. It’s a story that assures readers that changing who you are to be part of the cool kids is ultimately quite empty, and may even limit your opportunities for finding your people. The last page is especially meaningful, reminding children that to make a complete, beautiful puzzle, every piece is important, including you – a poignant metaphor for “it gets better”. The art is wonderful, full of bright colors and fun visuals that kept JJ fascinated throughout. It’s a great length, and a vital reminder for little ones that, while it may take time, they WILL find where they feel – and make others feel – complete. Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
Profile Image for Wayne McCoy.
4,127 reviews28 followers
September 10, 2017
'Where Oliver Fits' by Cale Atkinson is a fable about belonging and finding out where we fit in. The message is a good one for the young, as well as some of us older readers.

Oliver is a colorful puzzle piece. He wants to know where he will fit. He imagines pirates and other things in his optimism as he starts his journey. He discover that, for him, it's not so easy. He's the wrong shape, or color, or size. In his frustration, he decides to change who he is so he can fit in. Will he find happiness?

The story is very accessible for younger readers and has a really great lesson. I loved Oliver's journey and the lesson to just be yourself. The illustrations are colorful and the lesson is a good one.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Tundra Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Profile Image for Donna Maguire.
4,835 reviews115 followers
May 22, 2017
I enjoyed this book and it had a very good morale to the story and motto - be yourself and don't change for others - its definitely a book that I would recommend and one I will be looking to get when it is released. The images are great, layout is good and its easy to follow - 4 stars from me.
Profile Image for Katie.
658 reviews14 followers
November 16, 2022
We found this board book at our library and now I need to own it. I love that it’s a book about puzzle pieces because I enjoy puzzling, but I really loved the message of fitting in vs. belonging.
Profile Image for Sharon Tyler.
2,815 reviews38 followers
October 26, 2017
Where Oliver Fits by Cale Atkinson is a picturebook about finding your place. Oliver has always dreamed about where he will fit. Will he be in the mane of a unicorn? The tentacle of a pirate squid? The helmet of an astronaut? When he finally goes in search of his perfect place, he finds that trying to fit in is a lot harder than he thought. But like any puzzle, a little trial and error leads to a solution, and Oliver figures out exactly where he belongs.

Where Oliver Fits is a sweet and funny story that explores all the highs and lows of learning to be yourself and shows that fitting in isn't always best. Oliver tries changing himself to be what others think he should be, and for awhile it works. However, pretending to be something else did not feel right, Oliver was not happy pretending to be something else. It was only when he got read of all the disguises that he found out others were pretending too, and that being himself got him the perfect fit.

Where Oliver Fits is a great book to discuss every type of difference between people, both visible and invisible. This could be a great discussion starter about things like autism, in which every single case is different. It could also be used to discuss things like ability, appearance, gender identity, or really anything that can cause fictions between people that might be different and those that do not understand.
Profile Image for Katie.
516 reviews12 followers
December 10, 2018
Cute story about a puzzle piece named Oliver who really really really wants to find where he fits in.
As you can imagine, he becomes frustrated at not finding his place quickly, or after several tires and makes several attempts to change how he appears to meet what the other puzzle pieces are looking for. When these attempts fair he goes all out and changes everything about himself, and actually does find a place he fits. The problem is that every other puzzle piece is really mean to those who are searching for their place, and Oliver feels he is not being true to himself and decides to have a place where he fits, but doesn't belong is not right for him. So the disguise comes off and he goes back to being alone. But is he really? Oliver sees other puzzle pieces that had tries to change to fit with others, and realizes they match him. At the end of the story, everyone has their spot, and all the pieces form one large puzzle.

I like how there are different levels you can read this book on-from just a story about puzzle pieces to finding people who aren't afraid to be themselves and allowing others to see your true self, and more. This could work with elementary school readers, as the illustrations are detailed and interesting enough to hold attention.
Profile Image for Erin.
478 reviews
October 3, 2017
Oliver doesn’t seem to fit in. He’s too short or not square enough; his color isn’t right, or he’s too round. He just doesn’t fit in, but Oliver wants to fit in, so he decides to change himself in order to fit in. He’s accepted by the purple puzzle, but he wonders, “If I have to hide and pretend I’m someone else, am I really still me?” Then he questions, “And if I can’t be me, then what fun is it to fit in?” When Oliver decides to just be himself, he realizes that other puzzle pieces have changed their appearances to try to fit in. He realizes that being oneself is better than trying to fit in because in time one will find his fit.

This is a beautifully, brightly illustrated text about staying true to one’s own character and self. This is a lesson that everyone needs throughout life and is especially important for students developing their own personalities and character. The symbolism of Oliver as a puzzle piece is also a great way of introducing symbolism to elementary students. This is a great picture book not only for elementary students but for character lessons in middle and high school.
Profile Image for Debbie.
977 reviews11 followers
December 10, 2017
Oliver is a round puzzle piece that is anxious to be part of something exciting, something wild, and something out of this world. But as he searches those exciting, wild, out of this world puzzles he becomes disappointed to find there is no place for a round puzzle piece. “Being myself is getting me nowhere,” he thinks. So he decides to change himself to fit in with the puzzle pieces around him. He tries markers and tape to change his color and shape. Finally, by completely changing he finds a fit. But it doesn’t take long to realize if he has to hide and pretend to be something else, it doesn’t feel very good at all. So he takes off his disguise and once again becomes his lonely self. Will he ever find where he belongs?

Overall, this is a cute story with a helpful message to all kids (and even adults) who struggle with feeling like they can’t find a good fit but want to stay true to themselves. It is also a great resource when children are trying to figure out what their strengths are and that it is okay to have different interests. An excellent resource for teachers to use in their classrooms.
5,870 reviews142 followers
August 11, 2018
Where Oliver Fits is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Cale Atkinson, which cleverly tells a story about conformity and finding a place in life through a puzzle piece that wants to fit in somewhere – anywhere. However, that is more difficult than expected.

The text is simplistic and straightforward, but surprisingly deep. It is about a puzzle piece named Oliver as he seeks his place in life. It is about a story of being true to oneself and not to conform to whatever is normal or popular. The illustrations are simply wonderful and represent the text rather well.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Oliver is a puzzle piece who dreams about where he belongs. On his quest to find a place in life, many reject him, purely for superficial reasoning. Therefore, in order to fit in, he changes himself in order to do so. In the end, he could not pretend to be something that he is not and managed to realize that he was not truly alone and that there were many just like him and found his place among them.

All in all, Where Oliver Fits is an wonderfully written children's book about acceptance and conformity.
Profile Image for Jillian.
2,364 reviews537 followers
June 1, 2017
I adore Cale Atkinson's books and illustrations, and Oliver is no different. Oliver is a little puzzle piece just trying to find where he fits. As he tries changing himself in various ways, eventually he realizes that not being himself doesn't make him feel good about fitting in. The illustrations with the personalities of the puzzle pieces and Oliver's ways of changing himself are cute and leave lots for kids to discover. Though the message is obviously stated, it's a powerful one done in a conversational tone to kids and is still a message that is important for them to hear, think about, and discuss. This is a picture book that will appeal to those that feel they are on the outside of a group and who are concerned about fitting in or trying to hone their identity. I hope it will also appeal to those who are bullying/excluding others from a group. Both of which are concerns in classrooms of all ages, so it will make a great read aloud. Kids will also love seeing all of the various puzzle parts come together in a "big picture" double page spread at the end.
Profile Image for Sarah Threlkeld.
4,695 reviews21 followers
February 21, 2018
Too round! Too blue! Too short! Too pointy! Poor Oliver! No matter how hard he tries, he just doesn't fit together with the other puzzle pieces. He uses a marker to change his color and barricades himself with LEGO bricks to downplay his roundness, but the other pieces continue to taunt him. Then he has a stroke of genius - if he just changes himself completely, he's sure to fit in! His plan works, but not quite the way Oliver expects. Is his only choice changing himself to please others or can he find his place in the world by simply being true to who he is? The message is a little heavy-handed, but the story and illustrations are so engaging that readers won't mind. Everyone, whether child or adult, will relate to Oliver's dilemma and hopefully reflect on the ways they tamp down their own personality in order to please others.
Profile Image for Cheriee Weichel.
2,517 reviews41 followers
January 31, 2019
I really like a lot about this book . Oliver is looking for someplace to fit in but is repeatedly rejected because he is too different for all the groups he tries to join. Eventually he tries to change himself so that he can be accepted. But he soon learns:
"If I have to hide and pretend I'm someone else, am I really still me? ... And if I can't be me, then what fun is it to fit in?"
That is an important lesson to learn.
Still, there has been something niggling me about this book. I finally figured it out. The onus is always on Oliver to 'fit in.' I was recently in a classroom that had posters on the wall speaking to the difference between fitting in and belonging. Belonging is just being accepted for who you are. I wish there had been more of a focus on changing the culture of these "have to fit in kinds of groups" I will definitely talk about it if I share this book with kids.
72 reviews2 followers
October 1, 2020
This is a very sweet story about accepting yourself as you are, even if you don't seem to fit with everyone else. The ending stresses the fact that everyone belongs, which is a nice change of pace from the usual message of "not everyone belongs and that's okay."

The illustrations in this book are beyond gorgeous and sure to captivate any reader. The colors are so rich and the characters seem three dimensional (even though they're all two dimensional). I loved the different shapes each puzzle piece had and the way they all came together in the end. I especially liked how the story touched on the fact that just because you can fake it enough to fit in doesn't mean you should. That's very powerful because I know a lot of people struggle under the weight of masking all the time when they really want to be free.
464 reviews24 followers
August 30, 2017
This is an excellent picture book with a great message and amazing colourful art that is a trademark of any Cale Atkinson book. I was able to view this on NetGalley, however I could not get the pictures and text to go together quite the way they are intended to on my IPAD. Inspite of the technical glitch, I loved the story, and I am eager to find the copy that I pre-ordered in my mailbox.

As a teacher or librarian there is a lot that one could do with predicting and picture clues here just by looking at the cover, it really reveals much about what the story is really about. Oliver goes through a lot trying to force himself into a fit with different groups, and learns that there are much more satisfying ways to find a space that feels right for him.
Profile Image for Jennifer Druffel.
100 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2017
I received a copy for review purposes via LibraryThing. All opinions are my own.

Oliver is a puzzle piece who just wants to fit in. His color, shape, and look aren't right. Oliver is very lonely. He does not belong anywhere. Oliver decides he needs to change to fit in. He cuts, glues, and paints. A complete make-over. Even though Oliver is unrecognizable, he finally fits in. He belongs. Will Oliver be happy?

Reading WHERE OLIVER FITS aloud, my fifth-grade class made many connections about the moral/lesson of the story. Kids can relate to the need to belong. To fit in. Personal stories where shared. Oliver was read again and again by individual students. Oliver lets kids realize they are not alone. A must-have book for any home, class, or school library.
Profile Image for Jana.
2,601 reviews44 followers
February 19, 2019
I rarely work jigsaw puzzles because I often don't have the patience or the stamina to figure out where each piece goes, especially if it's a large puzzle with tiny pieces with a title like "The Wheat Field"! The temptation to pound a piece in to "make it fit" often comes to my mind. This clever picture book helps me take another look at the jigsaw puzzle from the point of view of the puzzle piece who can't find where he belongs. The frustrated little piece looks all over for his spot and he even tries to change his color and change his shape to make himself fit. This picture book would be great to share with young readers as a way to encourage a growth mindset and to teach them to be themselves and eventually they'll find a way to fit in.
Profile Image for Becky B.
8,665 reviews155 followers
September 22, 2020
Oliver wants to be part of something exciting and adventurous, but he doesn't seem to fit anywhere. He's either the wrong color or shape so he decides to resort to drastic measures in order to fit in.

I think everyone at some point or other feels like there's something wrong with them and they just don't fit in anywhere. Kids need this story, but adults could also use the reminder that it doesn't work to fundamentally try to change your personality. You were made for a specific reason and spot in this world. This is a cute and relatable way to illustrate this. I feel like it's good for elementary, but every middle and high school teacher needs this on their shelves. And putting it in university freshmen dorms might be advisable too.
Profile Image for Graham Pigeon.
42 reviews
May 15, 2017
I have caught myself on multiple occasions reading Cale Atkinson's books by myself. Long after my little one has moved on, or fallen asleep, I will be curled up on the floor finishing the story or flipping back through the outstanding illustrations. These are some of the greatest children's books I've read. Entertaining, humorous, poignant, thought-provoking, darling and creative, I seek them out at story time even quicker than my son. Extraordinary. "Where Oliver Fits" is another one of these gems that will likely be found on our shelves for years to come...and when it's not found on our shelves its on our floor or in our laps being read, once again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews

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