Freebie Friday - Let's Get Fancy
Posted by Nona Nita's Blog at 5/1/2009 8:09 PM 
Categories: Freebie Friday
Tags: free stuff for kids grand daughters children's activities kid fun
Categories: Freebie Friday
Tags: free stuff for kids grand daughters children's activities kid fun
When my beautiful daughter was born in 1980, one of my first resolves was to make sure that I took pains not to limit her future with gender biased choices in dress, activities, and opportunities. Since my first child was a boy, there was an abundance of trucks, building blocks, riding toys, etc. to balance out the dolls and kitchen toys that she received as presents . I refused to buy anything myself that was pink, and as soon as she began to crawl , dressed her in overalls every day, to encourage freedom of movement and a general unisex attitude. This all worked out fine until she was able to take her clothes off by herself. I can still remember battling with a two and a half year old over which pair of pajamas she would wear. It seemed that my choice wasn't soft enough, so as I forced one leg in, she pulled the other out...those of you who are moms know the drill. I'll never forget the day that she insisted on going to nursery school wearing the lacy crinoline half slip that had come with a holiday dress, over her outfit because it was "so pretty". Katie always had her own style. She loved hair bows, jelly sandals, ruffles, rainbows, ballet slippers, and anything purple, which of course, was even better if it were "lavender". Now at 29, she has refined her taste, but still has a special flair that is all her own. One day when I went to meet her for lunch in downtown Manhattan, she came walking up to me and I didn't recognize her. As she approached I was thinking, "Why is that beautiful, well put-together, fashion plate making eye contact with me ?"
Perhaps it was these memories of my daughter's devotion to pretty things that made me fall in love with "Fancy Nancy". Not since I read the first Harry Potter story have I been so taken by a character in a children's book. "Fancy Nancy" is a little girl who bears the burden of being the only member of her family who loves everything "fancy". Even though her family is very plain, she just loves to fill her life with fancy things, from fancy accessories (like an abundance of colorful ribbons, ruffles and scarves) to fancy furniture (like canopied beds and painted stenciled dressers) to fancy words (like "ecstatic" instead of "happy" and "ensembles" instead of "clothes"). Although being fancy is great (or as Nancy would prefer to say, "spectacular") she always finds something even more special to admire, like being "unique". The picture books, four to date, are a delight to read to little girls from preschool to second grade, and the illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser are whimsical eye candy. The author, Jane O'Conner, has written two "I Can Read" books, as well.
Best of all, the publisher, Harper Collins, supports the series with a great website filled with free activities to either complete on the computer, like puzzles and memory games, or to print out for "hands-on" learning experiences. I printed out the "Fancy Nancy" paper doll page and shared it with my granddaughter last night after reading her Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy. I had to cut the doll and clothing out for her, but she had a grand old time pasting the "ensemble" on the paper doll while simultaneously extending her vocabulary and honing her fine motor skills.
The bottom line is, I love "Fancy Nancy" and I love free things, too. If you do also, click here to visit the site with the freebies. When you get on the page click "KIDS" then "Fun and Games". As Nancy would likely say, it's "exquisite".
For more on Enlightened Grandparenting visit Nona Nita's Nook
and click My Path Productions for ideas that support conscious living
Perhaps it was these memories of my daughter's devotion to pretty things that made me fall in love with "Fancy Nancy". Not since I read the first Harry Potter story have I been so taken by a character in a children's book. "Fancy Nancy" is a little girl who bears the burden of being the only member of her family who loves everything "fancy". Even though her family is very plain, she just loves to fill her life with fancy things, from fancy accessories (like an abundance of colorful ribbons, ruffles and scarves) to fancy furniture (like canopied beds and painted stenciled dressers) to fancy words (like "ecstatic" instead of "happy" and "ensembles" instead of "clothes"). Although being fancy is great (or as Nancy would prefer to say, "spectacular") she always finds something even more special to admire, like being "unique". The picture books, four to date, are a delight to read to little girls from preschool to second grade, and the illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser are whimsical eye candy. The author, Jane O'Conner, has written two "I Can Read" books, as well.
Best of all, the publisher, Harper Collins, supports the series with a great website filled with free activities to either complete on the computer, like puzzles and memory games, or to print out for "hands-on" learning experiences. I printed out the "Fancy Nancy" paper doll page and shared it with my granddaughter last night after reading her Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy. I had to cut the doll and clothing out for her, but she had a grand old time pasting the "ensemble" on the paper doll while simultaneously extending her vocabulary and honing her fine motor skills.
The bottom line is, I love "Fancy Nancy" and I love free things, too. If you do also, click here to visit the site with the freebies. When you get on the page click "KIDS" then "Fun and Games". As Nancy would likely say, it's "exquisite".
For more on Enlightened Grandparenting visit Nona Nita's Nook
and click My Path Productions for ideas that support conscious living
I share your love for Fancy Nancy, and enjoyed reading this post.
A few months back, my daughters school was hosting a fund raiser at our local Barnes and Noble. One of the planned activities included a reading of Fancy Nancy by the school principal. The kids were encouraged to dress in "fancy" attire for fun.
This was my first exposure to her. The girls and I had so much fun, as did all of the fancy girls in attendance.
Thanks for sharing her!
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As I raise my pinky and sip my tea, I say to you, as Nancy would, "merci" for your comment. How "enchanted" I am to have a fancy person like you reading my blog!
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Thanks so much for alerting me to Fancy Nancy books. I have been buying Junie B Jones books for my granddaughters and I am collecting the old Nancy Drew mysteries for when they are bigger. Now that they have all the Junie books I'll check with their mom and maybe start buying Fancy Nancy books.
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I'm not sure how old your grandchildren are but the Fancy Nancy I Can Read Books are easier than the Junie B. Jones books. They might find these too easy, but even second graders enjoy having grandma read to them, so the picture books might still be fun for the two or three of you to enjoy together.
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