Or Fancy Nancy goes to the animal shelter
...but not until she "tries out" a posh puppy. Writer Jane O'Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser have teamed again to create another winner in the Fancy Nancy series, a personal favorite. (Meaning: I buy a copy for my school library with library money and for me with my money and another copy for my great-niece!)
Fancy Nancy Clancy establishes herself in the first book, Fancy Nancy: 2009 Wall Calendar as the only member of her family who likes to dress "fancy." Nancy's neighbor Mrs. DeVine is also fancy, revealing the possible source of the posh-ity. (Pardon the use of the wall calendar to exemplify the first book. I used it because the little product insertion button did not produce a copy of the first book but instead a calendar based on the book. Go figure.)
At any rate this fascination with poshness is a wonderful opportunity for detailed artwork created by the talented Robin Preiss Glasser, who uses the most feminine art to represent Fancy Nancy. As a former ballet dancer, she injects so many little ballet items into the story. I delight in this story as much for the art as the story. Little girls feel the same way. It's a popular and beloved series.
In this story Fancy Nancy wants a papillon just like Mrs. DeVine's Jewel. She lets Nancy puppysit to test her out. What a disappointment. This is not a dog--it's a pampered little living doll. After Jewel excretes her stomach contents onto Nancy's dress, they take her back to Mrs. DeVine. Nancy's parents take a bedraggled, disappointed Nancy to the local King's Crown for dinner. Nancy is so sad she cannot even walk on her toes.
But Mom has a surprise. After dinner they go to the local animal shelter to get a real puppy. Of course, Nancy asks for a fancy dog--and gets one. This perfect dog satisfies everyone: curly hair for fancy, medium size and lively for everyone else. She is Frenchie, a LaSalle Spaniel and is the perfect "fancy" dog.
I rarely summarize the entire story, but decided this series is just right for such a move. Every message is perfect. Nothing fancy here--just supportive and thoughtful parents, a favorite older neighbor, diverse friends, and acceptance of people for who and what they are. And in this particular story, a visit to the animal shelter for adoption. What a grand series! Nothing fancy there except this delightful little girl!