It is significant to note that this story was initially published during the 1970's, which was a period of relative rest and calm following the justifiable turbulence of the 1960's. Due to this publication date, this story does not reflect the current generation, but that of at least one before it. It is interesting to consider the fact that this story was not published prior to the 1970's because many of the notions and stereotypes it challenged were still too dominant during previous periods. As such, this book is able to deliver readers an unflinching perspective about what life is like for someone who is different, and teased as a result. Readers are able to ascertain just what exactly other people have to go through when they are teased. There are some touchingly poignant moments in this tale related to Oliver's differences that unequivocally reveal what life is like for people branded as something other than ordinary. When Oliver tries not to cry after not winning the talent show, it is touching. His reluctance to return to school is highly understandable, and painful to watch. Then his stunning triumph, in which he sees how his performance changed his peers' perception of him, is therefore that much more sensational. By presenting readers with both sides of Oliver's ordeal, both his trials and his triumph, the author definitely allows readers to understand what it is like to be adjudged as different from the others.
The relationship of power, status and authority to this novel is decidedly more ambiguous than other facets of it. There really is no central authority figure. The source of Oliver's woe (his teasing) comes from both children and from his family. Traditional males, perhaps, are regarded as the authority figures in the story. However, at the end of the tale it is Oscar who definitely has power, from doing things his way, from performing well in the talent show, and from earning the respect...
It is quite clear that bullying is viewed within this tale in a negative light, as the numerous instances of name calling and other forms of teasing (such as when Oliver's schoolmates take his tap shoes and refuse to give them back to him) clearly depict the little boy's unhappiness as a result of these things. Elizabeth Kennedy's book review on the subject seems to agree about this point, and regards the negative bullying message as one of the tale's most valuable, as the following quotation demonstrates. "Children…begin to understand how important it is not to bully others for being different" (Kennedy). The bulk of the remainder of the author's review focuses on summarizing the plot, and additionally commend Oliver for persevering in his own way despite the obstacles presented to him.
In that respect, this story certainly encourages children to tolerate one another, and to not judge others so harshly for differences that exist between. The numerous pages in which Oliver is sad and wants to cry because of all he endures certainly provides palpable demonstrations about the hardships that others have to face. It is virtually impossible for a child to read this account and not realize the ramifications of thoughtless actions directed towards others simply for the fact that they are not the same as them. DePaola deserves nothing but the highest praise for composing this charmingly didactic tale which proves as valuable to children as it does adults.
Works Cited
dePaola, Tomie. Oliver Button is a Sissy. New York: Harcourt Books. 1979. Print.
Kennedy, Elizabeth. "Oliver Button is a Sissy: Overcoming Bullying." About.com. no date. Web. http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/picturebooks/fr/oliver.htm
