Meet Miss Fancy

December 1, 2018
A young boy helps raise money to bring an elephant to his town, but will he get to touch it like the other children do?Frank can't wait to welcome Miss Fancy to her new home in nearby Avondale Park. But a sign stops him: "No Colored Allowed." He climbs a tree and tosses peanuts to Miss Fancy, but it isn't close enough. He can't bring himself to break the law by entering the park. He asks the Rev. Brooks what he can do. They decide to write a letter asking the city to allow their congregation to have a Sunday picnic at the park. They get plenty of signatures, and their request is approved, but then the Rev. Brooks brings the sad news to Frank that they won't have the picnic after all, because " 'there could be trouble.'...'Trouble' meant black people could be hurt or worse." Finally, Frank ingeniously finds a way to lead Miss Fancy out of the park and then back. For returning her, he is rewarded with his dream. Readers will feel for Frank from the first page; his singular goal is a brilliant vehicle for making the injustice of segregation concrete for young readers while telling an interesting story based on historical events (as described in an author's note). Holyfield's skillful artwork uses complex color blends, light, and shadow with stylized form to create memorable characters and scenes. Unfortunately, while the upbeat ending is good for Frank, it elides the decades of Jim Crow that followed the events of the story.Quality storytelling and beautiful art allow a likable protagonist to shine. (Picture book. 4-8)

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March 1, 2019

K-Gr 2-A heartwarming story set in the early 1900's about a young boy who desperately want to befriend an elephant. Latham's story is loosely based on a true circus elephant that retired to live in a park in Birmingham, Alabama. Frank, a black boy who draws elephants, talks about elephants, and dreams of meeting an elephant, might just get his wish. Frank and his classmates learn that a circus elephant needs a new home and collect pennies to help the city of Birmingham buy Miss Fancy. Frank is overcome with excitement as he awaits the day Miss Fancy would arrive. Crowds of people come out to greet the elephant as she is led from the train station to her enclosure in the local park. Frank gets his first glance of Miss Fancy but discovers he is unable to get a closer view because the park is for whites only. Frank is heartbroken, but he discovers a tree that overlooks the elephant enclosure and visits every day. Frank continues to ask if he can go into the park, his mother and minster think they have an idea. They ask the city for a permit to have a church picnic in the park. Unfortunately, the picnic is called off due to the prospect of trouble. Meanwhile, Miss Fancy has been having a bit of fun herself by escaping from her habitat. And one morning Miss Fancy arrives on Frank's doorstep. Overcome with joy, Frank leads her back to the park and with the love and care he shows he is finally allowed to visit Miss Fancy properly. VERDICT The story of Miss Fancy is a joy to read. For younger readers, it not only explores the adventures of Frank and Miss Fancy, but also touches on the race issues in the South during the 1900's. This would be a fine addition to any children's library.-Erin Olsen, The Brearley School, NY

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from January 1, 2019
Grades K-3 *Starred Review* Frank cannot believe it when he hears that a real live elephant might be moving to his town. Frank loves everything about elephants but has never seen a real one, so this possibility seems miraculous. This book is based on the true story of a retired circus elephant who was purchased by the children of Avondale, Alabama, so that she could live in their park in 1913. Fictional Frank was one of the children who raised the money by collecting pennies, but when Miss Fancy arrives, racist laws prevent him from entering the park and getting close to her. Readers' hearts will break as Frank's does when they encounter the page depicting his small figure before a sign reading No Colored Allowed. Eventually, events turn in Frank's favor, but not before readers have had a chance to linger vicariously in this moment in time, sharing in Frank's yearning and determination. A delightful centerfold depicting Miss Fancy's escape from the park adds comic relief. Illustrated by renowned painter Holyfield, this should be savored for its joyous, vibrant renderings of Avondale's African American community and families, so full of movement and light that they often resemble stills from an animated film. This is a gem of a story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)