Fanny & Annabelle

by: Holly Hobbie

Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Reviewed by Erin Clyburn

Fans of Holly Hobbie’s Toot & Puddle series might pick up Fanny & Annabelle, Hobbie’s new book that reintroduces a little girl, Fanny, the lead character from her previous book, Fanny. This new work, though, falls a little short, lacking the sweet storytelling of the Toot & Puddle books and relying entirely on its concept.

In the book, Fanny sits down on a rainy Saturday to write her own book, “Annabelle’s Adventure,” starring her doll, Annabelle. The book then turns into a story-within-a-story, with Fanny’s real-world actions influencing Annabelle’s actions and furthering the plot of her book. The conundrum arises when Fanny comes across an envelope full of money lying in the street. Subsequently, she writes that Annabelle finds an envelope full of money in the street. But what should she (and Annabelle) do? Keep the money or tell someone?

The story addresses an important ethical issue for children, and succeeds in its execution. The conclusion of the story is where Fanny & Annabelle falls flat. While Fanny does some very mature decision-making, the last few pages of the book turn the story from a realistic situation into a rather unrealistic one. It’s quite a disappointment after the buildup of the plot, and the book ends with a deflated feeling.

Without a doubt, though, the best part of Fanny & Annabelle is its illustrations. The delicate watercolors are lovely throughout. The hand lettering done by Hobbie, accompanied by the childish drawings on the pages of Fanny’s “Annabelle’s Adventure” are charming, even outshining the frame story about Fanny herself.

Overall, Fanny & Annabelle is worth a read, for its teaching of an important lesson as well as encouraging children to write their own stories and create their own books, and even more so, for the visual appeal of the book itself.

Armchair Interviews says: Good message for children.