Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Paris: A Fun Picture Book for Kids (Ages 4-8) About a New Boy, School, and Fancy Expectations

Fancy Nancy

by Jane O'Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator)

There's a new boy in school, and he's from Paris. Nancy cannot believe her luck. But this Parisian may not be as fancy as Nancy expects!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship, Kids, France, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 2008

About the author

Since the publication of Fancy Nancy, Jane O'Connor's closet now boasts so many boas, tiaras, and sparkly ensembles that sometimes friends do not recognize her on the street. She still resides (that's a fancy word for lives) in New York City with her family and their canine companion, Arrow. --from the publisher's website

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy is really excited to learn that her new classmate, Robert, is from Paris. She seems to be enamoured with all things French, so she immediately sets out to befriend the boy, sharing her lunch with him and inviting him over to play. But Robert turns out to be not quite what Nancy was expecting (although I wasn't exactly surprised; I thought there might've been a twist like that coming).

This book features the same adorable illustrations as the other Fancy Nancy books, as well as more "fancy" words... including some French ones. It's just as cute as the other books I've read so far, and I really can't complain. This would be another great addition to your I Can Read! collection.

Quotable moment:

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute with a fun surprise ending. However, the book just isn't as FANCY in the small I Can Read format--no sparkly cover, no big-and-glossy pages. Also, note that the art is BASED ON the art of Robin Preiss Glasser. Yes, that's right, only the cover is by her and the inside is done by an imitator. It's still cute enough, but I just found it, I don't know... disappointing or cheating, somehow, that the dear creator of Nancy (in picture-form) is not on board for these books, too. I'm not trying to take away from the I Can Read books, which are a fabulous format, just warning fans of Fancy Nancy that there will be some changes!!!

[Lara's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis : There's a new boy in school, and he's from Paris. Nancy cannot believe her luck. But this Parisian may not be as fancy as Nancy expects!
Review : Ah! Fancy Nancy has just found the greatest treat in the form of a new boy (Robert) in her class. He's from Paris and she is over the moon with excitement. She wants to make friends quickly and uses all of her best manners in this effort. She practices her French vocabulary with him, shares her favorite French books, sits with him a lunch and invites him over to play. Early readers will pick up a few fancy French words (Ami/Friend, Belle/Beautiful, Bonjour/Hello) as well as some fancy English words(gorgeous,perplexed,tardy and terrified). While Fancy Nancy learns that there is more than one place named Paris, readers will enjoy the colorful illustrations, fun new words, comedy of errors and geographical lessons to boot.
Critical Reviews :Dianne Ochiltree from Children's Literature gave this glowing review,"This early reader is guaranteed to fly off the library or classroom shelves!"

[Paul Dilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fancy Nancy inhabits a bizarre imaginary world of hybrid elegance that seems to shift between a faux Greenwich/suburbia and Upper East Side/city from one book to the next. Its major theme is the crazy idea that American wealth is directly correlated with size of vocabulary, and, even crazier, a basic knowledge of French. Thus Nancy will explain to her reader that a given big word is the “fancy” version of a more basic one. This particular book, at least, offers some self-parody in Nancy’s confusion about where the new boy in her class comes from (Paris, Texas, not Paris, France), as well as a refreshing lack of pretension in accepting her new friend even after she discovers the truth. While this series is definitely not my favorite, it does feed my daughter’s enthusiasm for learning new words. And I’ll take it over Pinkalicious any evening of the week!

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

The differentation between Paris, France and Paris, Texas probably has more resonance with American readers but we liked that it was a Fancy Nancy story.

Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Terry]

Our first grader likes Fancy Nancy, especially the French vocabulary. She needed a little help with some new words (in English and French), but handled most of the book well. The story stuck with her, because she applied some of Nancy's logic to other events in her life.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fancy Nancy arrives tardy to school on Monday. Ms. Glass is introducing a new kid to her class, and says that Robert is from Paris. Nancy tries her best to learn all she can about Paris from Robert, and invites him to her house to play soccer. Nancy assumes since Robert likes horses, he's trying to learn all about the west. Nancy discovers something interesting about Robert.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

You should never be late to school. You never know what you are going to miss. Nancy misses some important information about the Boy from Paris, that she is determined to make her friend. Another cute upper level easy reader.

[Kate Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a new boy from school and Nancy is amazed by him because he says he is from Paris. It is a cute story with a surprise ending which happens to be that the boy is from Paris, Texas not Paris, France.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beginning reader book.

[Shelby Rollenhagen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter loves these books and as a parent I love them for her. Fancy Nancy is a great character to share with children.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This girl is a character and is very unique. Never read a 'Fancy Nancy' book but she is great. :)

[Melissa Namba · Rating 1 out of 5]

not a fan. stereotypes. hard pass.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/11/18 Read with Lincoln

[Melissa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

[SFrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a joy to read

[Mr. Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute. Azlyn enjoyed it.

[K Morlando · Rating 3 out of 5]

We really enjoyed reading this!

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook version

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

H read it to me

[Ruthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading fancy Nancy

[ur_mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got mixed up, ngl i was invested in the accent and then i realized the kid was from Paris, Texas, not Paris, France so i had to switch mid book

[Darius Billings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fancy Nancy is fancy.

I already knew about Paris and the Eiffel Tower.

And I already know about cowboys.

[Kayli Blanchford]

vividly remember this book and the sleepover one

[Natalia Pozzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

AWESOMW BOOK READ IT WHILE BABYSITTING

[Virgil]

TOP 10 ANIME PLOT TWISTS

[Ella Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

childhood classic

[Nicole Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the ending was so cute!

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fancy Nancy has a new friend in school. Robert is from Paris, France, or is he?

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute. Azlyn enjoyed it.