Parents' Guide to

Fancy Nancy

By Dawn Friedman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Supportive family helps girly girl shine.

Book Jane O'Connor Picture Book 2006
Fancy Nancy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 4+

Based on 4 parent reviews

BAGS
BAGS Adult
October 15, 2011
age 3+

Oops! I trip. I slip. The Tray does a double flip!

I got this book for my daughter when she was 2 and she thought it was stupendous! (That's a fancy word for great!) She is now 4 and has every Fancy Nancy book there is! This book is the first in an absolutely wonderful series that is sure to expand your child's vocabulary! Fancy Nancy likes to use big words, and she especially likes French, which she defines for the reader. The pictures are colorful and zany enough to entertain children of all ages. The story is simple and one I feel many parents can also relate to if they have a daughter that likes to play dress-up! Who hasn't worn silly accessories to a restaurant at the request of their child! I would highly recommend this book and all others in the series.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
bunnie911
bunnie911 Parent of 4-year-old
October 18, 2010
age 4+

My daughter can't get enough of Fancy Nancy

Nancy learn lessons that my daughter can understand and appreciate.. I occasionally use Fancy Nancy as a role model - "Fancy Nancy wouldn't do that". It works; my daughter stops the unacceptable behavior every time.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Nancy offers fancy lessons to clue her rather plain family in on the joys of fanciness. However, a fancy outing to The King's Crown family restaurant ends in disaster. Will Nancy be able to find her fanciness again?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (1):

FANCY NANCY joins a long line of spirited girls with a passion for pink, but she's a welcome addition to what might be an overcrowded genre. What sets Nancy apart is her loving family, who do more than tolerate her interests: They're willing to share them. Even her father takes notes when she offers an ad for "Learn to be fancy" lessons on her family's fridge.

Young wannabe princesses will be drawn to detailed illustrations, which are crowded with girly objects of desire -- but Nancy is not all prissy. Her fanciness helps her truly be all that she can be, no matter what she's trying to tackle. As she explains, "Lace-trimmed socks do help me to play soccer better." Even girls who can do without pens with plumes and tiaras may find a kindred spirit in our fancy heroine -- and her supportive family that's there for her throughout it all.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the ways they can respect and even enjoy each other's passions whether or not they share them. They may use Nancy's family as inspiration for their own fancy outing -- complete with parfaits.

Book Details

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