Nancy's Genius Plan

November 15, 2019
Aunt Fritzi has made cornbread, and Nancy has a genius plan to have it all for herself--or perhaps not? Classic cartoon character Nancy has been given new life under Jaimes (a pseudonym for the cartoonist), but keeping true to her original characterization, Nancy remains immature and impulsive. In this story--told in full-bleed, single-page format rather than the traditional paneled comic-strip format--Aunt Fritzi has "made cornbread for everybody to share." Nancy has other plans. She wants it all for herself and enlists readers' help to carry out her "genius plan." First, they must knock on the window to distract Aunt Fritzi; turn the page slowly so as not to wake up the dog; and finally turn the book upside down so Nancy can sneak past her friends. Mission accomplished. The cornbread, all "delicious" and "crumbly," is hers. Yet it feels lonely, so readers are now asked to "shake this book up and down a couple of times." When everyone comes "to see what all the ruckus is" about, they can all sit down to enjoy the cornbread together. The book ends in true Nancy style with the punchline "Just like I planned all along." Nancy, Aunt Fritzi, and Sluggo are white, and her other three friends are kids of color. Simple, sweet, and entertaining. (Board book. 3-5)

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