Babysitting ANNOTATION
A guide to earning money as a babysitter, with advice on getting customers, safety, and handling emergencies.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Through the funny stories and examples in this complete guidebook, young readers will learn what makes a competent, conscientious babysitter. There's information on rules and responsibilities and the needs of children as well as how to find babysitting jobs.
FROM THE CRITICS
VOYA
This new, revised edition contains information that every prospective babysitter should know, including finding jobs, relating to parents, and entertaining children. Three new chapters in this version deal with meals, first aid, and emergencies, and Dayee also adds more current information on topics such as dealing with divorced families and food allergies. Reading this book definitely is not a replacement for taking a babysitting course. The chapters on safety, first aid, and accidents and emergencies are lacking, but the author states in her introduction that although she offers a few tips, taking a first aid course is the best place to learn. The book's strength lies in the chapters on preparing to babysit. As the author explains, getting a babysitting certificate is not the same as getting a job. Dayee spends much of the book describing in detail how teens can advertise their services, gain employment, and ask parents, the teen babysitter's prospective clients, the important questions. The author often uses scenarios to make her point, a tactic that might alienate readers if they find that the situations do not mirror their problems. The book lacks illustrations, and it could use more lists and checklists to break up the text. It would take a dedicated teen to read straight through, but it is recommended for middle school, junior high, and public library collections needing material on the subject, Trade pb. Glossary. Index. Illus. Further Reading. VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2000, Franklin Watts,160p, Ages 12 to 15. Reviewer: Julie Roberts SOURCE: VOYA, June 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 2)
School Library Journal
Gr 6 Up-- A well-written and informative guide for beginning or would-be babysitters. The emphasis is on safety, both that of the charges and of the sitter, but the book also includes valuable advice on how to get jobs, decide on fees, interact with the children and their parents, and involve the sitter's parents in the work arrangements. The humorous cartoon illustrations serve to reinforce the points of the text and are well integrated into the design of the book. This above-average book covers a wide variety of relevant topics in an upbeat, readable style. Most public and school libraries will want to add it to their collections. --Trish Ebbatson, Delaware County District Library, OH
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