Fanny's Dream [Hardcover]

Caralyn Buehner (Author), Mark Buehner (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: May 1, 1996 | Age Range: 4 and up

Fanny is a hard working farm girl, who dreams of marrying a handsome prince. But when Heber proposes, Fanny decides to give up her dream. She and Heber are happy, raising children and laughing by the firelight. Then one night, Fanny's fairy godmother shows up. Fanny's Dream is about shedding girlhood fantasies and working to fill real life with love and laughter. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pminty:
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?A warmhearted story with striking illustrations to match. Fanny Agnes is a "sturdy girl" who foresees a prince?or at least the mayor's son?as the man of her dreams. She's even depending on her fairy godmother to provide one for her. But she marries Heber Jensen, a farmer, and they share a life filled with ups and downs, babies, laughter, and love. Finally, when the fairy godmother arrives (several years late), Fanny Agnes has discovered that she doesn't need her anymore?she's found her prince. The characters' expressive, round, cartoonlike faces give form to their personalities. Buehner's farm scenes, so dramatically angled and brilliantly hued in Jerdine Nolen's Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm (Lothrop, 1994), are softer here, with a more muted palette. Especially effective are overhead sky views, such as the scene of the fairy godmother flying over the watermelon patch toward a content Fanny. Fanny's strength is not the epic kind found in a tall-tale heroine like Anne Isaacs's Swamp Angel (Dutton, 1994); hers is strength of character to recognize the dreams that make life worthwhile.?Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803714963
• ISBN-13: 978-0803714960
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 0.4 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The husband-and-wife team behind the best-selling Snowmen at Night and Snowmen at Christmas, Caralyn and Mark Buehner are also the creators of the award-winning Fanny's Dream. Upcoming collaborations include an original fairy tale about a lonely princess who decides to become a hairdresser. They live in Utah with their nine children.

You can find more information about Mark and Caralyn's books and upcoming signings by visiting their website at www.buehnerbooks.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Really great reality book July 23, 2000

By Dana G. Williams

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fanny's dream is a great story for kids. It teaches them to make hard choices and to recognize that dreams are often reachable through love, hard work and kindness, rather than through a fairy godmother. Fanny, herself, doesn't run into the usual Cinderella fairytale. She's not a "pretty girl" that just needs to be cleaned up nice for the king's ball. She's an every woman who dreams of marrying someon great and having a great life... and comes to realize that fancy gowns and capitalistic royal fantasies don't necessarily make everyone happy.

I would recommend this book to any child, male or female. Although it is nice to have a woman as a main character who doesn't fit into any televised stereotypes.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Heber and Fanny June 9, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

It's amazing how there can be so much impact on one's emotions from a simple children's book! When you and your wife put yourselves in the places of Heber and Fanny and start to look at the simple tasks that need to be completed to make a happy home and the satisfaction that comes from having a trusting mate, your partner for life with you no matter what your occupation or appearance, you will start to experience real love and happiness. My wife and I both had happy tears after reading this with our youngsters because the story shows that there is a Heber and Fanny in every couple that is aching to scream "I love you no matter what!" Read this book. Shed the plasticity of the world and learn from the simple example of true love that is portrayed in this wonderful story. We're going to be giving copies as anniversary gifts to our friends!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful realistic anti-fairy tale August 24, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Anyone with a little girl who is a little too caught up in the idea of Prince Charming should buy this book. Fanny marries a nice guy, lives on a farm, raises kids and works hard. Not her original plan, but in the end realizes that she does have her prince. A wonderful message to little girls that great things don't always come in gorgeous/rich packages!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a Realistic fairy tale!!! August 1, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

My girls and I fell in love with this book! Beautiful illustration's and story. Teaches what is truely important ingredients to a happy life!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Look Beyond the Children's Story December 24, 2008

By James Randolph

Format:Hardcover

Fanny's Dream (Picture Puffins)

A wonderfully illustrated story that has a powerful moral. We often have big dreams and wishes that are beyond the realm of reality. My Mom used to warn me, 'be careful what you pray for'. Fanny had a dream to marry a prince and have a life of ease and luxury, waited on hand and foot. But the reality was that she married a simple farmer, just like her. They had a good marriage full of happiness, but also a life of hard work and the occasional disaster. Although she did not marry the tall, dark, handsome prince, she felt that her life was 'close enough, close enough'. I purchased a book for each of my 6 children as a Christmas gift, and labeled them 'Marriage Manual'.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful. Beautiful. September 18, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

We have tons and tons of books for our kids. This is my favorite -- or at least one of the top five. The clouds are so beautiful. The color/tint of the night -- to die for. And such a heart-warming, life-affirming story. This is one of those rare books that kids and their folks will love.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great book! October 5, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great book! I would give this to teenage or young adult girls who are making big choices in their lives or have fantasies about romance.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for adults too! February 22, 2000

By Lori Mattioli

Format:Hardcover

I'm sure this book would be enjoyable by children, though my kids are too young to appreciate it yet. However, being at a very non-dreamy stage of life (3 kids 4 and under, 2 in diapers, and me covered in spit-up most of the day) I really related to Fanny. The book made me laugh and cry, and reminded me of what's important. My husband's new nickname is Hebie (and I wouldn't mind him calling me Fanny). Next time I need a wedding gift, Fanny's Dream will be it (though I'm sure the newlyweds won't understand it for a few years).