Vivian Walsh (author)

Vivian Walsh is an American author of children's picture books. She is best known for her book Olive, the Other Reindeer, which was adapted into a 1999 animated television special featuring the voice of Drew Barrymore. The special was produced by Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons.

Biography

While living in New York City, Walsh created stories featuring characters inspired by the city's work-driven culture. Her Mr. Lunch series centers around a dog who operates a bird-chasing business, reflecting the humorous personification of professional life. In Monkey Business, Walsh tells the story of a monkey who becomes a middle-aged industrial mogul after traveling to space.

After relocating to San Francisco, Walsh's work began to explore themes of diversity and cooperation. Her book Gluey features an unlikely friendship between a bunny and a snail, characters representing different ends of the speed spectrum.

Walsh collaborated with illustrator J. Otto Seibold. ^[1] Together, they have produced several books, including Penguin Dreams, which was named one of the New York Times' "Best Illustrated Books". Mr. Lunch Takes a Plane Ride received a Cuffie Award from *Publishers Weekly* for Most Memorable Character in a Lead Role. Their book Olive, the Other Reindeer became a New York Times Bestseller and was later adapted into a television special^[2] that was nominated for an Emmy Award.

Selected works

• Mr. Lunch Takes a Plane Ride (1993), Viking Penguin^[3]
• Mr. Lunch Borrows a Canoe (1994), Viking Penguin
• Monkey Business (1995), Viking Penguin
• Free Lunch (1996), Viking Penguin
• Going to the Getty (1997), Getty Books^[4]
• Olive, The Other Reindeer (1997), Chronicle Books^[5]
• Penguin Dreams (1999), Chronicle Books
• Gluey (2002), Harcourt Children's Books
• Olive, My Love (2004), Harcourt Children's Books
• June and August (2009), Abrams

Television

• Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999) Fox Films, see IMDb