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Saturday, April 17, 2010

Fancy Nancy, Poet Extraordinaire, written by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin P Glasser. Harper, 2010. $14.99 ages 4 and up


"We don't talk much, but sometimes we put the radio on.
Music often gives you inspiration. (That is a tres fancy
word for something that helps you get good ideas.)"

Ah, here she is again in all her 'fancyness'. Fancy Nancy Clancy ('her name rhymes so she is naturally poetic') has a teacher who shares poetry each and every day that Nancy is at school...and she encourages her students to try their hand at writing their own poems, too. Now, there's a teacher I admire!

The class is doing a survey. They are trying to find out everyone's favorite poem. Nancy is busy recording answers, including photos. Each respondent has a different answer, and is willing to share their thoughts about the poetry they love.

At school, there is a poet-tree for the student's compositions and they will have a chance to read them on Family Day. Mrs. Glass responds to the children's work with a note of encouragement. If you have met Bree and Nancy in other books, you will know that they have a club...now called the Palace of Poetry. They go there to write poetry when the school day is done. They don't need to talk much. They are searching for inspiration and so create a place of tranquility that allows ideas to flow. Bree seems to have an endless stream of ideas, while Nancy is experiencing the dreaded WRITER'S BLOCK!

Mom has a suggestion. It doesn't work! Mrs. Glass has some helpful hints about poetry and its rules. Nancy is not encouraged. When the family goes to the store for Grandpa's birthday celebration, she finds inspiration. Any teacher would be delighted with the result!

Nancy's anthology of some of her favorite poems is included. Each is illustrated, the poet is given credit and explanatory notes have been added by the collector when needed. On the final page, Nancy lets her readers know that she is on the lookout for a poem about tea parties, as she so loves them. Then, she encourages us to try keeping a journal of our own favorites...what a great idea.

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