Fanny

Poor Fanny—she has one of those mothers who will never let her daughter have a Connie doll. Her best friends have them, but “They're just too... much,” says Mom, who, in fine children's book tradition, is seen only from the neck down. Parents will know what Mom means—Connie is based on the wildly popular, huge-eyed and full-lipped Bratz dolls. Desperately longing for a Connie, practical Fanny wins her mother's heart, if not her friends', by making her own from rags and then, after further minor discouragement, by embracing and pursuing an interest in sewing. The message of fostering individuality and creativity will be welcomed by most adults, though many children will probably sympathize with Fanny's predicament and not quite believe her contentment at the outcome. Relying on a palette of bright pastels punctuated by lively orange, and varying hues of lavender for the nighttime scenes, Hobbie renders Fanny's story in a cartoon-like style. While her watercolor illustrations here lack the affectionate warmth of her acclaimed Toot & Puddle books, the sparser style, as well as the unadorned language, add needed spunk. Ages 3–6. (Sept.)