Fancy Nancy (Hardcover)

~ Jane O'connor (Author), Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator)

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
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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

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (December 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060542098
• ISBN-13: 978-0060542092
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (181 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #482 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Julie Jordan Scott "Writer, Life Coach - Owne... (Bakersfield, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Carolyn Rowe Hill "author of 'The Dead Angel" (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews

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

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Marion "[e-mail]" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.