Review - Fancy Nancy: Too Many Tutus

Fancy Nancy: Too Many Tutus (Fancy Nancy)
by Jane O'Connor
illustrated by Ted Enik
Date: 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Fancy Nancy's closet is bulging (that's a fancy way of saying it won't close). Nancy's mom thinks she should give away some of her tutus—but Nancy knows a fancy girl can never have too many tutus! But when Ms. Glass tells her class they will have a fancy swap-and-shop at school, will Nancy bring in some tutus to trade? And what happens when she finds the tutu of her dreams?

Following in the footsteps of all Fancy Nancy I Can Reads, Fancy Nancy: Too Many Tutus will delight beginning readers—and tiny, tutu-wearing fans will agree: There's no such thing as too many tutus!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is tutu cute! (Sorry. I couldn't resist.) Not only are the illustrations in this one adorable, but it has a sweet message.

Nancy has too many tutus! So many, in fact, that she can't close her closet door. When the school has a swap-and-shop, her mom convinces her to get rid of some of the tutus she's outgrown or doesn't use anymore. Nancy is hesitant at first, but since each item she brings in for the swap-and-shop earns her a ticket to spend on new stuff, she gets into the spirit and brings in lots of her old things.

At the swap-and-shop, she spies the tutu of her dreams. Unfortunately, Grace also spies the same tutu and gets to it first. When Nancy realizes that Grace doesn't have enough tickets to buy the tutu, she starts to take it away. But then she sees how sad this makes Grace, and she actually gives Grace the extra tickets she needs to buy the tutu. She doesn't go home empty-handed, though; she still has enough tickets left to buy two new tutus for herself.

Lots of people will be able to relate to parts of this story. Kids grow up and grow out of their clothes, but sometimes it's hard to let go of favourite items. The swap-and-shop sounds like a great idea (even though, as Nancy says, it's mostly old sweatshirts and jeans; her taste is a little more refined than that). But what I really like about this story is Nancy's kindness toward Grace. She sets aside her own desires to make someone else happy, and that's a laudable thing.

The really cute illustrations in this one are icing on the cake. I bet the illustrator had fun drawing all the different tutus. The picture of Nancy dressing up her dog tickled me so much.

Overall, this is probably one of my favourite Fancy Nancy titles so far. A great message and fun illustrations make it the perfect addition to any Fancy Nancy collection.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5