'Two of the feistiest female characters in contemporary children's books are Lily the stompy hippo and Olivia the bossy piglet of the series of the same name. The former is the star of Too Loud Lily by Melbourne writer Sofie Laguna and Brisbane illustrator Kerry Argent ... Olivia, meanwhile, is the creation of American illustrator Ian Falconer. Lily and Olivia are cracking role models because, contrary to continuing stereotypes about girls being pink and passive, they show that the job of storybook heroines extends beyond politely hanging around castles or train tracks waiting to be saved by handsome, horsey boys who can deliver magical pashes.'
