Beloved Children's Book Character Turned TV Star, Olivia, Tops This Year's Holiday Gift List with New DVD, Books and Toys

NEW YORK, Nov. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holidays fast approaching, parents are beginning to search for the season's hottest gifts that are guaranteed to both entertain and inspire. Boasting the perfect balance of princess and adventurer, gift-givers everywhere need look no further than Olivia, the confident, imaginative and funny 6 3/4-year-old little girl and star of one of today's most popular children's programs, "OLIVIA," on Nick Jr.

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Poised to help spread holiday cheer are the release of the Merry Christmas Olivia DVD, distributed by Nickelodeon and Paramount Home Entertainment, and an all-new "OLIVIA Claus" book published by Simon & Schuster. The Merry Christmas Olivia DVD follows Olivia through several holiday and winter fun adventures including a beach party and dreams of becoming a Santa who returns lost toys. The "OLIVIA Claus" book begins on the night before Christmas when Olivia discovers that her favorite stuffed monkey, Mathilda, is missing.  The Merry Christmas Olivia DVD runs 95 minutes and is available at Target and Toys"R"Us at the suggested retail price of $16.99. "OLIVIA Claus" is available for $16.99 at retailers including Barnes & Noble, Borders, Target and Amazon.com.

"Although Olivia's adventures in her imagination are bigger than life, the challenges in her day-to-day life are preschool size, which makes this line of books ideal for parents and girls ages 2-6," said Valerie Garfield, VP Publisher for Novelty and Licensed Publishing, Simon & Schuster Publishing. "Children relate to Olivia because she experiences the same daily trials and triumphs as they do, and parents can appreciate her character because she offers positive reinforcement and real-life lessons that help with decision making and responsibility."  

In addition to the new book and DVD, and just in time for the holidays, a new collection of OLIVIA toys is also now available from Spin Master, a leading toy manufacturer.  The line includes a full range of plush dolls, figures and play sets, as well as a dress up trunk, each providing young girls with a unique opportunity to re-create the imagination of OLIVIA and her adventures. This year, the "OLIVIA" 2-in-1 play set received Dr. Toy's "Best Picks Children's Products Award," the iParenting "Outstanding Product Award," The National Parenting Center "Top Toy Award" and was a Funfare magazine holiday winner.

Over the past decade, the Olivia brand has sparked a host of popular licensed products for adventurous little girls including recent New York Times best-sellers "Olivia Goes to Venice" and "Olivia and the Haunted Hotel," among several other inspiring books. Other OLIVIA products available now include DVDs, CDs, apparel, accessories and home decor items. OLIVIA products are available at major retailers nationwide, including Target, Toys"R"Us, Kmart, Sears, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Wal-Mart and Amazon.com.

About OLIVIA

Based on acclaimed author/illustrator Ian Falconer's award-winning titles, Olivia follows a 6 3/4-year-old dynamo who believes she can do anything and sees every day as an opportunity to try new things.  Her vivid imagination takes her on grand adventures, both real and fantasy, and like all children, her antics occasionally result in endearing misadventures.  Olivia's confidence and positive nature inspires kids everywhere to think boldly and follow their dreams.  Two "OLIVIA" TV-tie-in books have been included as part of The New York Times Best Seller lists, while "OLIVIA" toys have received multiple awards. Olivia is a licensed character of Chorion. For more information, please visit our official Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/OLIVIATV.

About Chorion  

Chorion is a leading provider of quality family entertainment for the global marketplace. Chorion brings a combination of brand management savvy and creative vision to the development of literary copyrights across all media. Chorion's portfolio includes classic children's brands such as Mr. Men and Little Miss, Beatrix Potter, Paddington, Noddy, OLIVIA, and The World of Eric Carle as well as art and lifestyle brands. Chorion also owns and manages the literary works of Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler and Georges Simenon, among others. Chorion's animated television productions include OLIVIA, The Mr. Men Show, Famous Five: On the Case and Noddy and Noddy in Toyland. New productions for 2010 include The Octonauts and Gaspard and Lisa. Chorion has offices in London, New York and Sydney. For more information, please visit www.chorion.co.uk.

SOURCE Chorion