Disney Jr. Getting Fancy with Nancy

Disney Jr. is betting that Fancy Nancy, the children's books sensation, will prove appealing as an animated TV series and telefilm.

The network has optioned the rights and plans to develop an original animated TV movie and series, while Disney's consumer products group will look to capitalize with attendant products. 

Created by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser, the Fancy Nancy stories are written for children ages 2 through 7, centering on a girl donned with an extensive vocabulary and elegant wardrobe. She's been the central character spanning 60 books that have been translated into 20 languages and  sold 28 million copies worldwide.

Fancy Nancy publisher HarperCollins and Disney Publishing will collaborate on books based on the television series.

"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, executive vice president, original programming and general manager, Disney Jr. Worldwide.