Fancy Nancy is less than thrilled when vacation arrives but her best friend Bree takes off for a family vacation to New York City. Her mother comforts her with a pack of glitter markers, and our favorite fancy girl decides to turn her backyard clubhouse into an art studio. Over the course of the week she creates pieces in the style of Degas, Monet, Matisse and Pollock. When Bree finally returns, complete with sketches she did in New York, the two girls and their friend Lionel have an art show in their back yard...

The fourth smaller-sized Fancy Nancy picture-book that I have read - the others being Fancy Nancy: Explorer Extraordinaire!, Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinaire and Fancy Nancy: Ooh La La! It's Beauty Day - this charming title is partly fictional and partly non-fictional, pairing the story of Nancy's vacation art experiences with information about real artists, and reproductions of their works. Unlike some of the earlier titles in this format, there was no afterword with further information, which was something of a disappointment. Still, the end result was a delight, both from a narrative and an illustrative standpoint. I continue to find this series engaging, with books that are both entertaining and informative. Recommended to all Fancy Nancy fans, and to young would-be artists. ( )

This Fancy Nancy book shows creativity and the importance of it. This book might interest anyone who loves art. The illustrations in the book and the content of the book go so well together. I love the colorful illustrations and the sparkle on the pages. Nancy is so colorful with her spirit. ( )

Fancy Nancy: The Aspiring Artist, by Jane O’ Connor. This story is a children’s book that talks about how a child found herself something entertaining to while her best friend was out of town. The characters are Nancy, her family, and her best friend.
The theme of this book is, I believe, to do whatever your heart desires. Nancy wanted to find something to do while her best friend was out of town and she discovered art. She painted and drew whatever was on her mind everyday and didn’t stop.
The author Jane O’ Connor has wrote a series of Fancy Nancy books.
Nancy’s best friend went out of town and left her with nothing to do. Nancy’s mother bought her crayons and paint so Nancy decided to paint and draw so she wouldn’t be bored. Nancy started painting and drawing every thing that she saw or thought of. She really thought that she was a real artist. After her best friend returned home Nancy’s parents took them to the art museum so they could see more art. Overall this is a great reading for kids who like to explore their imagination and draw. ( )

51 months - This would make for a fun week of art creations. Read the book each day and then create a painting using the style that Nancy used for that day. Another creative Fancy Nancy book! ( )

Bibliographic Information: Jane O’Connor, “Fancy Nancy Aspiring Artist”, Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, ©2011, 30 pages
Genre: Picture Book
Summary: Fancy Nancy’s friend Bree leaves for New York during spring break so Nancy is sad. She decides to start making works of art. She talks about different kinds of art. Her friend Lionel, her dad and her all go to an art museum. She gets a really good idea when she is there. Bree comes home and her, Nancy and Lionel all make a huge painting together. They throw an art show in Nancy’s back yard.
Tags: Fancy, Fun, Word Play
My Response: I think this book would be good to lead into a lesson of being your own artist. Also all the words she uses in the book that are “fancy” she explains what they are. I really liked all the different artist talked about in the book and what inspired them to paint.