Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser

DEADLINE: ‘Fancy Nancy’ Books To Be Developed As Animated TV Movie & Series By Disney Jr.

By Denise Petski

Disney Junior has optioned Fancy Nancy, the New York Times best-selling book series by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser, to develop as an original animated TV movie and series for premiere in 2017. Also included is a licensing deal with Disney Consumer Products for related role-play items and other consumer products. In addition, the books’ publisher HarperCollins and Disney Publishing will collaborate on future books based on the television series.

The stories, geared toward kids ages 2-7, have an underlying theme of self-expression and love of family as they follow the adventures of a girl who likes to be fancy in everything from her creative, elaborate attire to her advanced vocabulary.

“Children have been captivated by Fancy Nancy’s wit and irrepressible spirit for a decade, and we are very eager to give her an even bigger stage on which to perform,” said Nancy Kanter, EVP Original Programming and General Manager at Disney Junior Worldwide.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Disney Junior to bring Fancy Nancy to the small screen and to the next generation of fans,” said Susan Katz, President and Publisher of HarperCollins Children’s Books. “As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of this best-selling series, it’s exciting to see our beloved character making her TV debut.”

Fancy Nancy, which includes 60-plus titles, has sold more than 28 million books and been translated into 20 languages. Fancy Nancy was named 2008’s Book Character of the Year by Global License. The series has received two Toy Industry Association’s Toy of the Year Award nominations, two LIMA International Licensing Excellence Award nominations and was named the Best Character Brand Program of the Year in 2009.

The deal was made on behalf of Harper Collins by Hotchkiss and Associates.