Jane O'Connor (1) (1947–)

Fancy Nancy returns in this sixth picture-book devoted to her adventures, excited about the "Deep Sea Dances" recital her ballet class is putting on. Sure that she and her best friend Bree will win the part of mermaids, Nancy is distraught when instead she is given the role of a tree, and Bree that of an oyster. Things only get worse however, when Bree wins a mermaid role after all. Can Nancy work through her jealousy, and be happy for Bree? Will she discover that being a tree is a good part show more after all...?

Like its predecessors, Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet presents an entertaining story, one that offers a sympathetic portrait of its eponymous heroine's struggle to accept the less than 'fancy' realities of life. Fortunately, Nancy has a way of winning through her troubles, thanks to her warm heart, generous spirit, and her ability to find the 'sparkle' in everything she does. I appreciate those qualities in her, and the fact that author Jane O'Connor always manages to highlight an important childhood lesson - in this case, accepting disappointment, and being happy for others, even when they get something and we don't - without allowing her story to become at all preachy. The artwork here, as with all the other Fancy Nancy titles I have read, is colorful and cute. Recommended to all young ballet and mermaid lovers, and to anyone who has read and enjoyed other books about this high-spirited young girl. show less

Lulu Goes to Witch School, illustrated by Bella Sinclair

Lulu the witch goes to school for the first time in this second early reader devoted to her magical adventures, following upon Lulu and the Witch Baby. Although she likes her teacher, Miss Slime, Lulu finds her classmate, Sandy Witch, more than a little annoying. Seemingly good at everything, and not afraid to boast about it, the other little witch looks poised to ruin Lulu's schooldays. Will a bout of lizard pox fix matters, or are show more these two destined to be witchy foes...?

Originally published in 1987, with illustrations from Emily Arnold McCully, Lulu Goes to Witch School was reprinted in 2014 in this updated edition, with new artwork by Bella Sinclair, and a revised text from author Jane O'Connor. In comparing the two versions side by side, I discovered that the text in this new edition had been simplified, with whole sentences removed, and the occasional change made in order. I found the result less satisfactory than the original, and am not sure why the change needed to be made in the first place. The result felt a little dumbed dumb, especially as the new edition is a level 2 I Can Read Book, and doesn't need to be that simple. For instance, why change the following:

"It was the first day of witch school. Lulu Witch was happy. She was scared too. She had never been to witch school before. Lulu could not eat her frosted snake flakes. She felt as is bats were inside her tummy."

and make it into this:

"It was the first day of witch school. Lulu Witch was happy and scared. Lulu could not eat her frosted snake flakes. She felt as is bats were inside her tummy."

The former is a little bit longer, but still has simple sentences, and isn't that much more difficult to read. In addition to this unnecessary simplification, I also felt that sometimes the changes here were done to make the narrative a little less sharp, a little less thoughtful, resulting in a text that felt a little more generic. For example, when Lulu meets her teacher Miss Slime for the first time, in the original, the text tells us: "Lulu thought Miss Slime was very pretty." Given the description that came before, of the teacher's warts and long nose, this could emphasize the different beauty standards in the witchy community, in this tale, or possibly even raise the idea of the subjective nature of aesthetic taste, in the child reader. In the new edition, the description of Miss Slime with her long nose and wart on her chin is simply followed by the statement: "Miss Slime was very pretty," making what what was a more nuanced look at the idea of beauty into a flat statement. There's nothing here for the child to ponder, nothing to evoke deeper thought. Similarly, towards the end of the book, when Lulu ends up having more spots from the Lizard Pox, the following sentence is removed entirely from the new edition: "For once she had done something better than Sandy Witch." The implication here seems to be that Lulu's moment of petty triumph, in surpassing her rival, is so problematic that it must be excised, even thought its very pettiness is true to childhood, and also what gives that moment humor?

As the foregoing should make plain, I think the changes made in Lulu Goes to Witch School were unnecessary, and resulted in a subtly inferior narrative than the original. I didn't have the original of Lulu and the Witch Baby to hand, when reading the newer edition of that one, but I suspect similar changes were made. I find it disappointing, and a little troubling, that these changes are being made in a book that it already so simple, as it points to falling standards in the books we are giving beginning readers, both textually and intellectually. I thought Bella Sinclair's new artwork here was cute (as I did with the new edition of Lulu and the Witch Baby), but in the end, I don't really recommend this one, and would advise parents and teachers to seek out the original instead. show less

Lulu and the Witch Baby, illustrated by Bella Sinclair

As her new sister, Witchy Baby, begins to take up all of the attention of the grown-ups around her, from parents to aunts and uncles, little witch Lulu grows ever more resentful, especially when her own attempts to gain a little of her parents' time prove unsuccessful. Matters are not improved by Witch Baby's tendency to make a mess, and to destroy Lulu's things. When Mama Witch is out on an errand, Lulu reaches her boiling point, using a show more spell to make Witch Baby disappear. But is this really what she wants...?

The first of two beginning readers devoted to the adventures of the eponymous witch, Lulu and the Witch Baby was originally published in 1986, with artwork done by Emily Arnold McCully. This new revised edition was published in 2014, with artwork from Bella Sinclair, and on the whole, I prefer the newer version. Unfortunately, I did not have the original to hand, so I cannot compare the specific ways in which the story has been changed, but on this reading, I found the book far more engaging than I did when reading the original. I also preferred the artwork here, compared to that done by McCully. Bella Sinclair's illustrations are very cute, with a cartoon-like style that is suited to the story, I think. I particularly liked the scenes in the magic room, with all of the witchy accoutrements. Recommended to beginning readers with a taste for witchy fare, as well as those who might be contending with a new baby sibling themselves. show less

It's Fancy Nancy's mother's birthday, and our resourceful heroine is determined to give her a day of pampering at their back-yard Ooh-la-la Beauty Spa. From face masks to manicures, pedicures to hair-styling, this is a full-service spa, including special treats and entertainment. But when something goes wrong with her mother's hair, has Fancy Nancy ruined her big night out at a fancy restaurant...?

The third of these smaller Fancy Nancy picture-books I have read - the first two being Fancy show more Nancy: Explorer Extraordinaire! and Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinaire! - Fancy Nancy: Ooh La La! It's Beauty Day is one I approached with trepidation (a "fancy" word for fear, as Nancy herself would say). It just seemed overly girly, in a self-indulgent way that I find the other books about this character are not. Perhaps I was simply misled by the idea of a "beauty day," but in the end I found this one adorable, and appreciated the warmhearted nature of Nancy's efforts for her mother. It reminded me of similar gifts I gave my mother as a little girl, including "coupons" for the performance of various tasks, and special services. The artwork is every bit as cute as ever, and recipes and suggestions are included, so readers can try to beauty services that Nancy is performing, in their own homes. Recommended to Fancy Nancy fans. show less