Nancy Knows

by Cybèle Young

Nancy knows she's forgotten something. Something important. When she tries to remember, she thinks of all kinds of other things instead. She remembers things she knows and things she doesn't quite know. She remembers things one way, then another. Sometimes she remembers with her ears or her stomach or even her heart. But Nancy knows she's still forgetting something. It's only when Nancy stops thinking altogether that she finally remembers the very important thing she's forgotten. Nancy Knows is the charming story of an elephant who remember lots of things, except the very thing she is trying to remember. Each spread of this whimsical, arresting picture book features fantastic miniature paper sculptures within expressive outlines of a puzzled pachyderm. It's a book not to be forgotten.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Art, Fiction, Storytime, Canada

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 22, 2014

About the author

Cybèle Young is an award-winning paper sculpture artist as well as an author and illustrator of children's books.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sorting story which strongest point is the beautiful pictures of sculptures made with Japanese paper. Nancy knows she is forgetting something, and while she tries to remember she sorts in her mind things by color, shape, type, function, etc.

I received this copy via LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy is an elephant, and elephants never forget. Or do they? As she tries to remember something important, she begins with what she knows, and organizes things in her mind. But, after thinking and thinking and thinking doesn't bring the answer, Nancy takes a rest. Like many of us, the answer comes after our mind has a break from the many things all around us. Subtle enough for a children's board book, the message is also one adults find ourselves learning and relearning often.

The simple outline sketches of the elephant (like an imaginary friend?) are paired with photo collages of the stuff and things Nancy things about, creating beautiful imagery in each page. I'm looking forward to sharing this with my youngest nibling!

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

With simple illustrations mixed with the real life items, this tale of a forgetful elephant delights and entertains readers of all ages. It reminds me a bit of the Eye Spy books.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tired of trying to remember, Nancy takes a nap and then wakes up and has an "aha!" moment, which causes her to remember what she should know...

Things to note:
storytime book
some opposites
potential inquisitive questions

[Kal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe she forgot Oscar 💔💔💔

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

An elephant is supposed to have an excellent memory....right? An elephant never forgets....is that not correct? Well not so with our adorable little elephant character, Nancy. She is in agony because she knows there is something very, very important that she must remember .... but can't for the life of her think of what it is. In this very creative and fun book the author/illustrator designs very unique pictures of Nancy using a graphite pencil for the pachyderm's outline and then filling her in with exquisite mini paper sculptures. Both adults and children will have their noses pressed to the pages to take in every last detail of what is presented there. Nancy thinks and thinks and tries to remember how things looked one way, then another, with her ears, her stomach and also her heart but to no avail. The memory has slipped away. Remember the line in the Dr. Seuss book, "He puzzled and puzzled 'til his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch (but in this book it is our sweet little Nancy) thought of something he hadn't before." Finally all puzzled out she sits down, gives it up and that's when the magic happens! She remembers what it is!

It is a pleasant and pleasing feeling to encounter such an original and imaginative picture book that is totally unique to that author's style. The text is simple but truly the illustrations are the driving force behind this whimsical and most enjoyable book. I highly recommend this book to you.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute art style.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visually appealing contrast between the simple outline and the busyness of the collage. I also love elephants.

[Sagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like you can see her thoughts. This is a new kind of art for me! (Sagan, age 6)

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elephants never forget... except in the case of Nancy, the adorable little elephant in this picture book from Canadian author/illustrator Cybèle Young. Nancy knows she's forgotten something important, but she can't quite recall what is is, and so she thinks of all different kinds of things, tiring herself out in the process. It is only when she relaxes that it finally comes to her: she is her friend Oscar is waiting for her in the park...

Nancy Knows is the sixth picture book I have read from this creator, and was a true pleasure. It features the same kind of understated but ultimately engaging story as in A Few Blocks and A Few Bites , which depict two siblings and their imaginative games. Here the theme is memory, and the truth highlighted is that we cannot always recall certain facts at once and at will, and must sometimes relax and think of other things, before it comes to us. This is an experience many have had, I would imagine, including the child readers and listeners of this book. The text is in loose rhyme, and reads well, while the artwork, created using pencil and a collage technique using little sculptures made from Japanese papers, is engrossing. The visuals here are lovely, with lots of white space on the page and then the outline of Nancy, filled with images of various items depicted using paper sculptures in all different shades. This business of image, within Nancy, then recedes as she relaxes, until her realization leads to a burst of little images, outside of her outline, and scattered across the page. This design choice really highlights and accentuates the story. As is often the case with this creator, there is a wealth of subtle meaning in the details here, but even a reader not as attuned to this visual feast will still enjoy the simple story of an elephant who finally does remember.

[Olivia S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an unusual picture book with interesting pictures. Nancy is an elephant whose memories and thoughts are shown to the reader through the photographs that her drawn body is filled up with. Can't decide how I feel about this, but kids would probably find the pictures interesting to look at and talk about. Very simple story, little text. Wouldn't work well for storytime as the pictures are too detailed.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.



My name is not Nancy and I am not elephant but I can relate! I fell in love with this book because of the artwork. It has the feel of an I Spy book but with sophistication. Young is a talented paper artist and each page reveals her creations: some recognizable and some abstract. There is something to catch the eye every time you read it.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is developed in a different way. Nancy the elephant remembers a lot of things in different ways. The illustrations are created from all types of paper sculptures to show how Nancy remembers. There is a lot to see in this story.

[Haaley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting art style.

[Phyll · Rating 4 out of 5]

#relatable

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you take the time to look closely at every illustration, this book is rather cleverly laid out. Well done.

[Antonia V Domenech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book. An elephant never forgets, as the saying goes, but this one did. It's fun to look at all the illustrations that Nancy does remember to try to remember what she can't. Great book.

[Ivory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a about taking a break from your thoughts. I enjoyed that the book was about remembering because elephants are known for having good memories. Good classroom library book.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good one! We checked it out from the library and I don’t want to return it. Very cute read.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The collage art is fun, and the depiction of memory/forgetfulness is spot on.

[Madeline Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

‼️spoiler alert‼️

Nancy nooooo! How could you forget Oscar?!?!?!

Terrific story telling with an excellent plot twist.

[Leigha Jackson-Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Loved the illustration style and the way it captures the process of trying to remember. Then the ending is cute!

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are extremely inventive. It's fun to review the categories for their own sake. The payoff of remembering a playdate is too weak to justify the suspense.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The majority of this book is Nancy categorizing things according to shape, color, use... it looks okay, but is very boring. Then again, I'm 17 and the target audience is obviously much younger than I am.

[Nicole (book.quill) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ironically a forgettable tale about an elephant.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Knows is a picturebook by Cybele Young. Nancy the elephant knows she has forgotten something, something important. While she walks around trying to remember, she thinks of all sorts of other things instead. It is only after she stops thinking so hard that Nancy remembers what should should be doing.

Nancy Knows is a delightful picturebook. Elephants are supposed to remember everything, right. Well, Nancy cannot remember. She knows there is something she needs to remember, and now. She is struggling with something we have all done, even the young audience for picture books. We have all had that moment when we cannot remember a name, the last item on the shopping list, or the reason we went into a room. For children it might be the way they are supposed to solve a math problem, or how to spell a word; although we adults can have those lapses too. I love that while Nancy is trying to remember she comes up with all sorts of other things in her mind- which are shown in delightful paper sculptures and bright colors on each page. I do the same thing, as I am trying to go through my to do list for the day, I remember something I tried to remember yesterday. The book is splendid and charming, something everyone can find enjoyment in.

I would recommend Nancy Knows to readers of all ages that have ever forgotten something, anyone that has had a thought or name on the tip of their tongue but evading recollection, and frankly that is all of us right? The are is colorful, charming, and a wonderful pairing to the story of an elephant that sometimes forgets.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

NANCY KNOWS by Cybèle Young is the beautifully illustrated story of an elephant who’s having trouble with her memory. Nancy can recall everything except the one thing she’s trying to remember. Readers young and old alike will be able to relate to this charming story.[return][return]Intended for preschool and primary-aged children, both parents and teachers will be attracted to the theme of “remembering” associated with colors, senses, and emotions. This book would be a wonderful springboard to discussions about with children about the concept of reflection. This essential concept is difficult to teach, but Young’s story of remembering would be an excellent time to start young children thinking about their own thinking. The conclusion explores the important of mental relaxation associated with remembering.[return][return]Young is known for her intricate paper sculptures. While the character of Nancy is shown as a primitive outline, amazing miniature paper sculptures are woven throughout the picture book reflecting Nancy’s thoughts and memories. The illustrator also used this technique successfully in two of her other picture books, A FEW BLOCKS and A FEW BITES. [return][return]NANCY KNOWS is a book that belongs in every home and library collection. Unlike Nancy, you’re unlikely to forget it.[return][return]To learn more about Cybèle Young’s exceptional artwork, go to http://www.cybeleyoung.ca.

[Bonnie Ferrante · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unusual hardcover picture book. On each page there is a black ink outline drawing of an elephant named Nancy. The inside of her body is filled with tiny items that pertain to the story.

It begins, “Nancy knows she’s forgotten something. Something important…” On each page Nancy considers items she may have forgotten. At the beginning her jumbled thoughts are portrayed by tiny paper, straw, and stick fragments. As her thoughts become classified, the pictures become clearer. Her body is filled with thoughts of things with wheels, clothes, places and colors. Some items are recognizable and some are abstract artistic creations.

Although this is a picture book with a simple story, the illustrations seem suited for school-age children to discuss. Younger children will be bewildered by the impressive but unusual paper creations.

This book lends itself well to a discussion on memory and thought processes. What kinds of strategies do we used to remember? How do we organize our thoughts? What can we learn from Nancy?

For more reviews and bookish things by Bonnie Ferrante go to https://bferrante.wordpress.com/

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Nancy Knows
Author: Cybelle Young
Illustrator:
Publisher: Tundra Books/ Random House
Published: 8-5-2014
ISBN: 9781770494824
Pages: 32
Genre: Children's Fiction
Tags: Animals
Overall Rating: 4.5 Great
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Reviewer: DelAnne


Nancy knows she has forgotten something, but is not sure what it is. The more she tries to remember the more remembers other things she does not need to remember right know. How can she remember? How do you remember things? Read along to find out.


A funny story of something we all have trouble with. With a playful verse and simple illustrations, you will laugh along with your young readers as you share this sweet story. Take a moment to share the fun with others and pick up a copy today.

[Emmaline MacBeath · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Nancy Knows, this elephant has forgotten something. The author goes through pages after page of things Nancy does remember. On these pages are unique illustrations that are part drawing and part paper creations. There are so many items, you could spend days with your child talking about the items, their shapes and their colors. Finally, when Nancy sits down to rest and forget, she finally remembers the one thing she couldn't.

I have never seen illustrations like these. For example, one page shows things on wheels. There are miniature items such as a wheelbarrow, shopping cart and tricycle. All of these are inside of the simple drawing of Nancy because these are things she remembers.

This book would be a wonderful teaching tool for the little ones. You could spend day after day naming each item and teaching new vocabulary. There are many items a young child would not yet know.