Fancy Nancy [Hardcover]

Jane O'Connor (Author), Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: December 13, 2005 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: Fancy Nancy | Lexile Measure: 420L (What's this?)

Meet Nancy, who believes that more is ALWAYS better when it comes to being fancy. From the top of her tiara down to her sparkly studded shoes, Nancy is determined to teach her family a thing or two about being fancy.

How Nancy transforms her parents and little sister for one enchanted evening makes for a story that is funny and warm -- with or without the frills.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (December 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060542098
• ISBN-13: 978-0060542092
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (232 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,633 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Manners

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K–Young Nancy, like her literary predecessors Eloise and Olivia, is a glamour queen dropped into a boring world–Nobody in my family is fancy at all. They never even ask for sprinkles. She determines to rescue her relatives from their humdrum existence by giving them lessons and accessorizing their mundane wardrobes. A situation that is charming when observed by adults in real life doesnt translate into a successful picture book. Children pretending to be fabulous creatures is appealing when it is innocent and unforced. This book, despite Glassers wonderfully energetic artwork, is ultimately a story told by adults for adults.–Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. For Nancy, there's no such thing as too, too much; she loves her frilly bedroom, her lace-trimmed socks, and her pen with a plume. Nancy teaches her family how to be fancy, too. Then following Nancy's lead, the fancied-up family heads for a festive night out (at the local pizzeria). ^B A messy food mishap puts a damper on Nancy's joy, but her supportive family and the^B "I love you" at bedtime smoothes everything out. O'Connor, the author of the Nina, Nina Ballerina stories, delivers a delightful story of dress-up and cozy family love, with a charming protagonist who enjoys, and enjoys sharing, glamour. Nancy's perky narrative, in short, simple sentences, incorporates some "fancy" vocabulary for kids to absorb (stupendous, posh), along with a sense of the rewards of a family doing things together. The cheerfully colored art is aptly exuberant, a riotous blending of color and pattern and action. A book sure to appeal to girls' inner princesses--and inspire new ensembles and decor. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (December 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060542098
• ISBN-13: 978-0060542092
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (232 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,633 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Manners

More About the Author

Jane O'Connor is the author of more than thirty books for children, including the New York Times bestselling Fancy Nancy series, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, and the Nina, Nina Ballerina stories, illustrated by Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan. Fancy Nancy was nominated for the Quill Award for Best Picture Book in 2007. The Emperor's Silent Army: Terra Cotta Warriors of Ancient China won Booklist's Best Nonfiction Book for Young Readers in 2000. Jane has two grown sons. She was born, bred and still lives in New York City with her husband and their canine companion, Arrow.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 98 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved, Loved, Loved this one! December 31, 2005

By Julie Jordan Scott

Format:Hardcover

Fancy Nancy is a book I can relate too, even thirty plus years after being a little girl who would have LOVED to have my "fanciness" appreciated by my family! I appreciate the wisdom and creativity of our little protagonist - she is a good peer role model for the young picture-book set.

I am buying two copies - one for my seventy-three year old mother who is a "Fancy Nancy" herself and also for myself... my children may borrow it to read, but I will keep it in my room to read-aloud and laugh and laugh and laugh!

Oh - a special nod, too, for the "fancy" illustrations. Loved each and every one.

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely and utterly charming!:5++ October 7, 2006

By Carolyn Rowe Hill

Format:Hardcover

After running across Fancy Nancy while surfing amazon.com, I went to Borders Bookstore to see it in the flesh and was instantly captivated. It's a good-sized picture book with the most remarkable illustrations imaginable! There's even glitter incorporated into the book's cover. Having a "fancy nancy" granddaughter who turns five later this month, it will make the perfect gift (and if I ever need an illustrator I'm calling on Robin Priess Glasser!!).

Jane O'Connor's story is about a little girl who loves being fancy (you should see her room!). No one seems to understand that lace-trimmed shoes do help her play soccer better, and sandwiches definitely taste better with frilly toothpicks stuck in them; but, Nancy eventually convinces her unfancy family to fancy up and go out to dinner one evening. They all have a great time until disaster falls (well, not really a big deal in the scheme of things, but certainly so to a very young fancy lady). She finds out her family still loves her even when they all end up covered in ice cream sundaes...oops, I mean parfaits. She also learns that there's no fancy way to tell someone you love him/her, except to say, "I love you."

This book is precious beyond words. I'm having second thoughts about parting with it. I might have to get another copy for my little one. Oh yes, and it's up for a Quill award (consumer choice award)in the best children's illustrated book category. The awards take place this very next week (Oct 10) in New York City.

One thing I know for sure: I know how I'm going to fancy up my black pumps when my husband and I go steppin' out tonight!

Carolyn Rowe Hill

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fancy Is As Fancy Does! January 3, 2007

By Marion VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I bought this beautiful book for my fancy 3 year old granddaughter, Mary Mace, and she absolutely LOVES it. I read it first and now I want my own copy! The illustrations are magnificent---vibrant, alive and dazzling on every page. The story is educational and instructional. Nancy loves everything fancy from pink boas to sparkling tiarras and high heels....but alas, her family is plain. So Nancy decides to give them "fancy" lessons to which they willingly comply. In the end, Nancy comes to realize that plain is not so bad, either, as long as your loved. This is a light-hearted, well-told story which I highly recommend for girls of all ages.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulously Fancy - and Fun too! January 29, 2006

By ReadNNH

Format:Hardcover

I just found this book today and am so excited. The text and illustrations of this terrific story are real winners. I agree with the other reviewers comments - and want to add the perspective of a teacher. Nancy likes things "fancy" - words, dress up, food, manners. She frequently refers to things in "normal" AND "fancy" lingo. I will use this book with my first graders to talk about vocubulary and word-choice in their own writing.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone needs Nancy November 12, 2006

By Kitty Wake

Format:Hardcover

My granddaughter (age five) loves this book because, like Nancy, the more ruffles, flourishes, and flounces an object has, the better she likes it. My elementary schoolteacher daughter loves this book because her fourth-graders' adverb and adjective vocabularies expand painlessly because reading this easy story is fun. I liked this book because Nancy's family is so middle class--not affluent, not deprived--and is so understanding of their little prima donna. The illustrations add a lot to the story, being realistic with just the right touch of whimsical pizazz.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breath of Fancy Fresh Air! October 9, 2006

By Suzy Red

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fancy Nancy loves fancy clothes and knows fancy words. When she decides to teach her family how to be fancy, the results are comical. How will her family help when she falls on her face on her big night?

Encouragers in a strong family really can help each member to be creative and happy! And, isn't it nice to see a successful, family with a mother and father back in literature again?

What a terrific story to help introduce vocabulary development! Readers will be motivated to learn fancy French words and replace "plain" words with "fancy" words. Research says there is a strong link between vocabulary and success! Nancy is on her way!

The brilliant illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser in Fancy Nancy bring the text and story to life and extend discussion possibilities.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a new fan of Mrs. Glasser November 18, 2006

By M. STABILE

Format:Hardcover

I am a great new fan of Mr.s Glasser's work, re: her new book, "Our 50 States," which is absolutely amazig in it self, So, thought I'd first start with her "Fancy Nancy" book. What a joy to view such iilustations like this, with such movement through the characters body's and faces, that express so well what they are thinking.You can tell how her prior career as a soloits, and principal dancer with the ever loved Pennsylvania Ballet, shines through her work now with such wonderful movment through the characters bodies. A true joy. I will now need to look into her oher books.