Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Paris

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]

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

[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.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Paris
Written by Jane O'Connor, Illustrated by Ted Enik
Published by HarperCollins
2008
Grades K-2

Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Paris is a smart story about a misunderstanding Nancy has. A new boy comes to her class from Paris and she is immediately over the moon. Fancy Nancy loves Paris and even has a picture of the Eiffel Tower in her room. Nancy quickly becomes Robert's friend and they play together. Eventually, it comes out that Robert is from Paris, Texas, not France. Nancy felt a little silly but was very happy to have a new friend.
In terms of being for younger readers, I liked how big the font was and the amount of space between lines. It seemed very conducive to beginners. The story line was also very smart and funny once you got to the end of the story. The little plot twist really adds another element to the story, making it more than just a boy and a girl playing together. However, I thought that other aspects might be too much for certain beginners. Some knowledge of geography is required to read the book. If a child does not know where Paris or Texas is than the story might be lost. It could also be an excellent time to introduce children to a map or globe. The vocabulary is more advanced, though often harder words are explained through the text, like "gorgeous (That is a fancy word for beautiful). I still think beautiful may be a tricky word to sound out, so the use of more sight words may have been helpful. I am on the fence about vocabulary. I can imagine little girls loving the fact that they have learned big words and French words, but also some children struggling with them. Help from an adult will surely make this book and exciting read for a child.
The illustrations were bright and very busy. This reflects Fancy Nancy's style and the illustrations were also good at relaying emotion that will add to the readers experience. I think that they definitely "demonstrate the story being told" as required for the Geisel Award because the show what the more difficult words mean. They also add a great deal of playfulness and fanciness, too of course.
I think this book may be a candidate for a Geisel award, but I do not know if the degree of excellence is high enough. The audience may be more limited to girls; I can't imagine many boys loving the pink and pretty that is Nancy. Some children may be deterred by the more advanced words while others may love it. Since the book may not be as universal and motivational to all children, it may not be the perfect book for a Gesiel.