I am not a Fancy Nancy afficianado. My first exposure came when Kyle brought home a reader last year for reading group. Not having been a “fancy” girl myself, nor was my own daughter obsessed with bead and baubles and pink and glamour, I missed out, but Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Paris (I Can Read Book 1) was a book that we both enjoyed. I loved Nancy’s spunky style, and I loved her use of all those “fancy” vocabulary words.
Fancy Nancy and the Fabulous Fashion Boutique is Jane O’Connor’s latest Fancy Nancy book. Nancy is out shopping for her sister’s birthday, when she sees a beautifully fancy pink fan in a fancy boutique that she must have. She decides to have her own “fabulous fashion boutique” sale in her yard to raise the money.
Her sister falls in love with a necklace that she is holding for a sale, and hints that she hopes to get it for her birthday. So even though it means returning her earnings, Nancy has the opportunity to be a good big sister.
It was a lovely story. Kids (and adults!) can tell when picture books get preachy, but this models desirable behavior and character traits in a natural way that kids and parents will appreciate and relate to.
I bought this book when I covered a school visit that Jane O’Connor did for Monroe Patch. If you are a fan, you must read about her delightful visit. She was a wonderful person, and so interested in the kiddos there. She said that she loves visiting with children because they “refresh the well” of ideas. Read my whole story about Jane O’Connor here.
Jennifer Donovan does not dress fancy, nor accessorize with beads or feathers, but she does love the chance to use a good fancy vocabulary word when she can. Get your dictionary ready, and visit her Snapshot blog.
I do have one problem with the Fancy Nancy books. My grand-daughter was just entering first grade and this last summer she was so into reading. We took weekly trips to the library and checked out Level 1 books and finally some Level 2 & 3. A few of those were the Fancy Nancy books. I have no problem with those books being targeted for her age group..they are fun to read..but those “fancy words” do not belong in a book that is “leveled”. Just don’t market them that way. “Boutique”, for instance, is not a Level 1 word.
I know exactly what you are saying Jeane. I was surprised that the book my son brought home was a Level 1. The “fancy” words do up the reading level. I love that it helps teach vocabulary, but you are right that in a book they are supposed to read themselves it could be frustrating.
I love Fancy Nancy!
My daughter LOVES Fancy Nancy. We’re always happy when we discover a new story. 🙂
At first, when my Mom gifted my 4-year old with her first Fancy Nancy book, I thought that I would not like this story. I have to say, I am a big Fancy Nancy fan, and so is my 4-year old. These books are fabulous; I appreciate how is story give the desire for positive character traits, and the fancy words are fun.
We read the picture books…the story is great, but the illustrations really are loads of fun too!