Synopsis from Archway Publishing:

Nancy is a beautiful dragonfly. In fact, her friends say that she is the most beautiful dragonfly ever! Her friends are Freddy Tree Frog and Little Blue Baron. Together, they are best friends, and they always have fun. Nancy thought her life would be perfect forever, until one day …

While diving to catch a mosquito, Nancy doesn’t notice Blackie the Widow Spider’s web. Her wing gets caught, and in a panic, Nancy pulls herself loose. A piece of her beautiful wing is left behind, so she flies away and hides. She doesn’t think her friends will like her, so she remains hidden.

She expects her friends to laugh, but her best friends make her realize something important. They don’t love Nancy because she’s beautiful on the outside but because of a different reason altogether!

About: Nancy the Dragonfly is a children’s picture book written by Lavinia Conley. It was published on 10/27/2017 by Archway Publishing, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, paperback, 26 pages. The genres are children’s, picture books, and fiction. This book is the author’s debut. According to the publisher’s website, “Archway Publishing promises to help you bring your book to market using an effective combination of self-publishing and traditional methods. By choosing to self-publish, you will be able to maintain control over your work’s publication and launch your book on your own timetable. Archway is dedicated to helping new and emerging talents find their own paths to becoming published authors.” Please see below for more information about the author and publisher.

My Experience: I started reading Nancy the Dragonfly on 3/5/18 as a bedtime story for my 6 years old son and we finished it that same night. This book is fantastic! I love the bright welcoming color in each page of the story. I like the focus on friendship and image. I like that kids can learn that beauty is not just on the outside, but on the inside too. I like the show of concerns Nancy’s friends have for her when they heard of her injury. I like that even in such a beautiful and peaceful setting, danger could occur and that there are friends who will come to the rescue.

In this book, readers will follow Nancy the Dragonfly as she fly about at the lake feeling happy because she knows she’s beautiful and her friends says so too. She swoops up and down in the air catching mosquitoes for lunch. Her best friends are Freddy Tree Frog and Little Blue Baron. They play together everyday. They like to spend time at the lake, listen to the children laughs and jumps, and watch the boats go by. They also like to fall asleep listening to their friend, Little Blue Barron sings. One day, Nancy’s wing caught on a spider web during one of her swoops. She no longer feels beautiful and worries that her friends will not want to play with her anymore. To her surprise, they come looking for her after hearing of her injury. They assured her that they still love her no matter what.

A well written story, this book is excellent for kids! It encourages kids to love each other beyond the surface. I like the happy friendship. I like the diversity. A dragonfly is friend with a frog and a bird plays a role model to encourage kids of different nationalities and genders to play together. I like the lake setting because fun can be enjoyed with what nature offers. I like the view of both animals and people being in one place. I like the beautiful day with water lilies and sunshine. This book has a positive lesson and I highly recommend everyone to read it.

Pro: friendship, image, diversity, encouragement, nature, lake, beauty inside and outside

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

Buy it here for free shipping: Book Depository or Archway Publishing

About the Author:

Lavinia Conley and her husband live in Georgia. They, along with their three children, spent many weekends on Lake Hartwell when their kids were growing up. They now have two grandsons and one granddaughter. (Info obtained from Archway Publishing Website).

More Information about Archway Publishing

Website: https://www.archwaypublishing.com/Default.aspx | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArchwayPublishing | Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArchwayPub

***Disclaimer: I won my copy through Goodreads giveaway. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine