Nurse Nancy

by Kathryn Jackson, Corinne Malvern (Illustrator)

Many people fondly remember this book. Nancy loves to play Nurse, but her older brothers are always too busy with their big boy games to play with her. One day, when brother Billy falls and hurts himself, Nurse Nancy is at the ready! This lively, charming book from the 1950s is still fresh today.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Classics, Health

24 pages, Hardcover

First published May 10, 1952

About the author

Kathryn Jackson wrote hundreds of lively, witty stories for Golden Books, most of which were coauthored with her husband, Byron. The Saggy Baggy Elephant is one of the pair’s most famous titles. Golden Books that Kathryn Jackson wrote on her own include Tawny Scrawny Lion, Nurse Nancy, Pantaloon, Richard Scarry’s The Animals’ Merry Christmas, and Richard Scarry’s A Story a Day: 365 Stories and Rhymes.

Reviews

[Kelly Kosinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

So adorable!!!!

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like Doctor Dan: The Bandage Man, this reads like a Band-Aid advertisement, but it's so cute I just don't care.

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mom's evening read aloud - also who did not fight over who got those bandages?

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This came into my hands and I wanted to know how sexist it was. (copyright 1952) (Answer: yes, sexist, options for female careers are listed on page one--mom, teacher, nurse.) It actually captured my heart, though, because the kids are pretending hospital with Nurse Nancy. We know that the delights of "make believe" for children form patterns for interacting with the "real" world in adulthood. This is a Golden Book. I am not sure it is "timeless" as it purports to be but it does give us a glimpse of a time bygone.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, my sexist nostalgia strikes again! No wonder, after I had read this, that my mother complained I wanted to be a nurse rather than a doctor. But really, which was more appealing: Doctor Dan the Bandage Man, or Nurse Nancy? (I wanted to be a nurse to take care of people, what can I say. Of course my legs-- and my grasp of chemistry-- would never stand for it, so here I am a librarian.) Furthermore, when I read the biographies of Clara Barton as a middle schooler (Clara being one of the standard female subjects of dated biographies!) I realize I pictured her rush to the assistance of her injured brother as similar to Nurse Nancy's.

Just goes to show, what we show our kids in childhood will shape their ideas, eh?

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I knew what a “favorite author” was, Kathryn Jackson was already one of my favorite authors. I treated myself to Nurse Nancy which was a delight to read. Nancy’s caring, focused attention and ability to keep calm in an emergency reminded me of my niece Charissa who is currently studying to be a nurse. Great book and kitschy 50’s illustrations full of emotion and color!!

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a favorite for as long as my daughter's had the attention span for a book of this length. I remember her very carefully learning the words "wound" and "injury" and "ambulance." Nancy's story of nursing her brother Tom is really sweet, and I very much like the retro illustrations.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s refreshing to see siblings get a long even if Nurse Nancy didn’t get to be a doctor haha. The whole thing is so cute 🥰!

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I am trying to finish my alphabet, I used this Little Golden Book for the letter N.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the sake of nostalgia!

[Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 popsugar challenge—a book that reminds you of your childhood

[Sri · Rating 4 out of 5]

** spoiler alert **

Nancy anak yang sangat manis. Dia suka bermain peran menjadi perawat. Tapi sungguh dia menjiwai permainannya (dan pada dasarnya Nancy memang anak yang sangat manis nan baik hati). Saat ibunya terluka, Nancy merawatnya. Saat kakak dan teman-temannya dikejar lebah, Nancy menolong mereka. Lalu Nancy merawat luka kakaknya. Kakak dan teman-temannya yang tadinya tidak mau bermain peran bersama Nancy akhirnya mau bermain dengannya. Mereka semua menyukai permainan baru mereka sampai Nancy kewalahan melayani pasien yang antri minta diobati :D.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 4-year-old has me read this to her over and over again. It is a favorite with all my kids, so it gets 5 stars. My daughter now wants to get bandages and turn her room into a hospital room.

Edit: my daughter is now 5 and still loves it and has me read it all the time. I would probably give it 3.5 stars, but because of her it is still a 5.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My four-year-old daughter says this is the best book she's ever read. I'm not quite so enamored with it as she is, but it is really a darling book, especially children who like to play doctor or nurse! The illustrations are delightful.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave my copy of this book to my bestest friend, Nancy, who just happens to be a nurse. Didn't I do that?? I can't remember!!

[MaryAlice · Rating 4 out of 5]

My older sister Susan gave me this book. I liked it because it came with a Bandaid inside.

[Sarah May · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://littlebooksontheprairie.wordpr...

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute! I love little Golden books!

[Nancye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't resist picking this up based on the name. Definitely dated, but very cute.