<b>Fancy Nancy</b> <small>by Jane O'Connor </small>

Who doesn't like to be Fancy!!! Okay, my son and I don't. But for children who do there is Fancy Nancy and her superb suggestions on everything from how to dress beautifully, to how to have a fancy vocabulary.

The Story
In this first story of the series, Jane O'Connor introduces small fry to Nancy and her family-- including her doll, Marabelle Lavinia Chandelier. And as things turn out, Nancy is the only person in her family to be fancy; a situation that she remedies by offering lessons.

Realizing the error of their ways, everyone is soon dolled up in top hats and boas, and father chauffeurs them to the Kings Crown where it is unfortunate but that wonderful night goes awry when Fancy Nancy has a terrible accident involving parfaits (that's French ya know!).

What could be worse for poor Nancy. She doesn't feel fancy at all covered with cold, creamy goo and sprinkles. But that's when her family comes to the rescue. They make their own yummy sundaes at home, and the book ends sweetly with Nancy's parents tucking her into bed. Fancy Nancy responds to their goodnights by saying "And all I say back is, "I love you." Because there isn't a fancy -- or better-- way of saying that."

Talking Points:::
This book might have ended up being total fluff but for two things, the vocabulary that is introduced (fancy don't ya know), and the nice lesson about love and family togetherness. These positive values are some of the things I appreciate about Jane O'Connors work. I liked them in Nina, Nina Ballerina, as well.

I recommend this book for little girls** from toddler on up to about 1st Grade. My daughter, who is a sentimental 9 year old, still loves this tender story where the family joins in the fun and dresses 'fancy' for the sake of their child. And I have to admit that when they show up at the restaurant dressed in boas and top hats, eating pizza with their pinkies up, that its fun to imagine how people would really react.

**I don't normally make books exclusive by gender, but my experience has been that while little boys will sit through a reading, the theme just doesn't grab them, the way it will young girls.

More practically speaking, I love the vocabulary that is introduced in the Fancy Nancy books. Some of the suggestions you 'll find in this one are: gold, instead of yellow; patent leather, instead of leather; merci, parfait, and chauffeur.

Robin Preiss Glasser does a wonderful job with the artwork. It is very endearing.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs