NANCY CLANCY SEES THE FUTURE by Jane O'Connor

Nancy is convinced she can tell the future - she knew Daddy was bringing home pizza, and she knew it was Grandma when the phone rang! She's so certain that she starts answering questions for the other kids at school. But Bree doesn't like Nancy's new "talent" and it is affecting their friendship. And some of Nancy's predictions aren't coming true. What happened to her special gift?

This reminded me of a Judy Moody book I read last year. It's a sweet story about kids who are learning the difference between predicting the future and intuition and hunches. Magical thinking is part of childhood - a fun part - and it's easy to let some good guessing convince a child that she can predict the future. Nancy learns a lesson as her predictions cause a lot of trouble for her and for her friends. Fans of this series will enjoy this new story in Fancy Nancy's foray into chapter books.

3 out of 5 stars
No AR reading level at this time

Here are pictures of the first two books in this series. Book four, The Secret of the Silver Key will release next spring.

  

PICTURE BOOK: Fancy Nancy Fashion Boutique by Jane O'Connor

There are two stories that intersect in this Fancy Nancy book. First, Nancy holds a Fashion Boutique sale to sell some of her fabulous fashions so she can raise enough money to buy something else. But when Nancy sells a necklace her sister loves, she realizes it would have been the perfect birthday present for her sister. Nancy will have to sacrifice some of her money to get it back. Then, when her sister's birthday is about to be ruined by a rain storm, Nancy puts on a fashion show to save the party. Her act of kindness earns her a treat which leaves everyone happy in the end. A fun story with all the things readers love about Nancy - fun, fancy illustrations and fun, fancy words.

3 out of 5 stars

AR rating of 2.9

Recommended for: Read alouds, vocabulary lessons, fans of Nancy

Cautions: none

PICTURE BOOK: Fancy Nancy Aspiring Artist by Jane O'Connor

Fancy Nancy explores her artistic side when best friend, Bree, goes away for Spring Break, thanks to her mom and some glitter markers. Nancy tries the artistic style of different master artists and takes inspiration from her neighbors and surroundings. Great story for aspiring artists! The pictures are a delight as usual. Everything is frilly and pretty and girly and sparkly!

4 out of 5 stars
AR rating of 3.4

Recommended for: vocabulary lessons, classroom/library/art class read alouds, fans of Fancy Nancy

Cautions: none

PICTURE BOOKS: Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet AND Z Is for Moose

 

Nancy and her best friend, Bree, are so excited to be in a mermaid ballet. They play mermaids all the time! But when Nancy doesn't get a mermaid part, being in the ballet doesn't sounds so fun anymore.

This is another beautiful book in the Fancy Nancy series. The illustrations are phenominal (that's a fancy word for great and pretty). There's a beautiful moment between Nancy and her mom that is precious, and the story line covers an experience common to kids. I've already gotten a copy for the library and another to share with my niece. This will be a popular addition to our school library!

4.5 out of 5 stars

Zebra is directing an alphabet pageant, but an over-eager moose keeps getting in the way.

I loved this story! I think it's a great addition to our alphabet book collection, and my students really got a kick out of the moose.

4.5 out of 5 stars

TUESDAY: Nancy Clancy Super Sleuth by Jane O'Connor

Summary Fancy Nancy is back with the first in a new chapter book series for her fans. Nancy loves reading Nancy Drew. She and her best friend, Bree, have decided to be detectives. The only problem is that they have no case to solve. But a missing momento from a classroom display is just the sort of case the detectives were looking for.

Review This is a great next step for Fancy Nancy fans who are ready to move on to chapter books. I am excited that it is going to be a series. I think series help kids stay connected to books and characters they like, and it keeps them reading. The only thing that made me sad with this book is that the illustrations are black and white. The color illustrations of the picture books are absolutely gorgeous, but I understand why they don't work in a chapter book.

My students saw me reading this and they can't wait for me to get it in the library. This is one I'll have trouble keeping on the shelves.

Four out of five stars

No AR quiz yet

Recommended for: early chapter book readers, fans of the picture book series

Cautions: none