“I NEED IT NOW!”

FALCONER, Ian. Olivia and the Missing Toy. New York: Anne Schwartz-Atheneum, (2003). Slim quarto, original pictorial paper boards, pictorial endpapers, original dust jacket. $850.

First edition of the fifth Olivia book, inscribed in the year of publication on the copyright page, "For dear Chris with love, Ian 11-11-03," and additionally signed on the title page by Falconer.

In an interview with young readers, Falconer was asked if he, as does Olivia, ever had a "best toy" as a child. "Yes," he answered, and I still have it—a little stuffed monkey puppet, which is in my bureau drawer… [It never got lost], but I had another favorite toy—a hand puppet that was made by an aunt of mine. I called it Skrog (it was a cross between a skunk and a frog). It disappeared long ago" (Simon & Schuster).

A fine inscribed copy.