The journey begins when a young girl invites her Uncle Ray, who lives in South Carolina, to visit her in California.  Unable to get away, Uncle Ray builds a life-sized wooden man named Oliver to send to California instead of him.  He puts Oliver beside the road with a note asking travelers who pick him up to send postcards to Ray along the route.  In this way, he is able to track Oliver’s adventures as postcards arrive from Arkansas, New Mexico, Utah and other places along Oliver’s journey to California. 

Grand Canyon Reader Award for Picture Books 2005; Booklist Editor's Choice Award 2002; 2003 Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Children's Books; 2003 Christopher Award; Off the Cuff Award 2002

 “Vibrant, textured, rainbow-hued, with a mostly cheerful multi-cultured cast...” —Booklist

“Small, interesting details abound, and children will be pleased with the satisfying conclusion.  A map at the back shows Oliver's route.  A fresh, unusual tale.”
—School Library Journal

"...it's plain that Oliver has a great personality and should be making a return trip."
 —Kirkus Reviews

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