Pinkies Up! Fancy Nancy Tea Parties by Jane O'Connor

Bonjour, Everybody!

What I love most about tea parties is that you can have one anytime. You don't need to wait for your birthday or Christmas or some other formal occasion (that's a fancy way of saying an important day) whenever you feel like celebrating. That's the time for a tea party!

In her latest "nonfiction" Fancy Nancy book, Jane O'Connor's Fancy Nancy: Tea Parties, (HarperCollins, 2009) Nancy, that hostess with the mostest of the primary crowd, gives tips for planning parties, including chapters on Ensembles and Etiquette, Classic Tea Parties, Buffet Tea Parties, Tea for Two, and Doll Tea Parties. Nancy's actual tips are quite useful--directions for finger refreshments (Nancy's Nibbles. Ants on a Log, Fruit Kabobs, and Festive Fondue), directions for making placemats and folding napkins, and and ideas for centerpieces (Lollipop Bouquet, Blossom Extravaganza).

Nancy even throws in a few felicitous French phrases (S'il vous plait, de rien, etc.) to make the small talk at the party sparkle. Her advice for handling party goers who turn up dressed casually (faux pas of all faux pas)? Have plenty of beads, feathers, and sparkly stuff to fancy them up on the spot! Punch-out recipe cards are included in the back of the book, lushly decorated in the signature Fancy Nancy pink and purple sparkles.

Despite all the frou-frou, however, Nancy's best advice for the tea party hostess is quite simple:

1. Be fancy!

2. Have fun.

3. Don't forget to invite me!

Other Fancy Nancy "nonfiction" titles are Fancy Nancy's Fashion Parade!, Fancy Nancy's Favorite Fancy Words: From Accessories to Zany, Fancy Nancy Loves! Loves!! Loves!!! and Fancy Nancy: Let's Get Fancy Together!