Do you know Fancy Nancy? Well if you are a 4 to 6 year old girl you surely know who she is. Nancy, the creative brilliance of author Jane O’Connor, is a young girl who loves all things offbeat. The series’ original story book, aptly titled “Fancy Nancy,” tells the story of Nancy, a little girl with curly auburn hair who loves to speak fancy French words, dresses in fancy clothes, and loves pretty much anything else that’s fancy . Even Nancy’s favorite doll is very chic – her doll’s name, Marabelle, is short for Marabelle Lavinia Chandelier. Unfortunately, the rest of Nancy’s family is very nondescript. Nancy even goes so far as to teach her family the difference between simple and chic. Glasses…simple, sunglasses…chic! Nancy’s signature attire is a cow print leotard paired with a poodle skirt, fairy wings, cat eye sunglasses, leg warmers, ballet slippers and a tiara. Robin Preiss Glasser’s unique and whimsical illustrations add to the delightful nature of these books.
In the following picture books in the Fancy Nancy series, including Bonjour Butterfly, Posh Puppy and Explorer Extraordinaire, you will meet Nancy’s dog Frenchy and her best friend Bree.
Jane O’Connor’s inspiration for all of her books, including the Fancy Nancy series, comes from her own life experiences or those of her family. Every Sunday afternoon when Jane was about 4 or 5 years old, her grandmother and great aunts would come to visit Jane and her family. “As soon as I heard the doorbell,” says Jane, “I dashed into my room, hopped into my pink tutu, wrapped myself in a satin red robe, and galloped out to greet my guests in a pair of my mother’s high heels.” I wasn’t a girlie girl, but I thought it was important to look chic when I had company.” O’Connor was Fancy Jane long before she wrote Fancy Nancy.
What does being chic mean to Nancy? It means frilly toothpicks in sandwiches, eating with your pinky raised, lace-trimmed socks while playing soccer, and do-it-yourself canopies over her bed.
Jane O’Connor’s Fancy Nancy Hysteria has evolved into a growing line of picture books, I Can Read Books and Fancy Nancy gifts and merchandise such as dolls, doll clothes, puzzles, games, birthday party supplies, bedroom accessories and of course Fancy Nancy – Clothes for little girls. Here you will find a Fancy Nancy gift for all occasions.
Check out our Fancy Nancy Trivia to see how much you know about this remarkable little girl:
A. What word is written on the pillow that is on Nancy’s bed?
B. What is Nancy’s favorite color?
C. What is the name of the restaurant where Nancy and her family go to eat?
D. What is the name of Nancy’s best friend?
E. What is the full name of Nancy’s doll? (Note: we mentioned it above)
Q. Who are Nancy’s neighbors (on each side of her house)?
G. What does Nancy think she will be when she grows up?
H. What is the name of Mrs. DeVine’s dog?
I. What breed is Nancy’s dog?
J. What is the name of Nancy’s teacher?
K. What is Nancy’s middle name?
L. What is Nancy’s last name?
M. What is the name of Nancy’s dog?
N. What does she use to hold up her bed canopy?
O. What is the name of Fancy Nancy’s sister?
P. What was Ms. DeVine’s occupation?
Q. What breed is Mrs. DeVine’s dog?
R. What city did Mrs. DeVine live in as a child?
S. What’s the name of Nancy’s babysitter?
Answers: A: Sublime; B: fuchsia; C: The royal crown; D: Bree; E: Marabelle Lavinia chandelier; Q: Bree (her best friend) and Mrs. DeVine; G: A lepidopterist (that’s a fancy word for a scientist who studies butterflies); H: jewel; I: La Salle Spaniel; J: Ms. Glass; K: She has no middle name; L: Clancy (yes…that makes her Fancy Nancy Clancy!); M: French; N: A broom and a mop; O.JoJo; P. Beautician (she worked in a hairdressing salon); F: Papillion; D: Hollywood; S. Alex
O’Connor quotes excerpts from her interview with National Public Radio
Thanks to Melanie Rivers
