The Lemonade Babysitter

Waggoner, Karen

ISBN 10: 0316917117 ISBN 13: 9780316917117

Publisher: Joy st Books, 1992

Synopsis

Setting out to discourage her new babysitter from ever returning, Molly finds that she and Mr. Herbert from down the street might have a few things in common after all.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

Molly is delighted that her old babysitter has quit; she can't wait to return to her mother's office. But a ring of the doorbell reveals "old Mr. Herbert from down the street," who announces that he is the new sitter. Determined to get rid of him, Molly's plans are foiled as Mr. Herbert is more than willing to have his hair fixed, dance to the radio ("I can 'Shuffle Off to Buffalo'. . . I could do this forever") and go to the zoo ("Next stop snack bar"). By the end of the day, after some shared confidences, Molly has made her new sitter some lemonade and is contentedly reading a book along with him. Donohue's soft, sherbet-colored illustrations employ intricate patterns and designs--each section of text is headed by a tiny picture, while page borders and drawings alike twinkle with droll touches. As Mr. Herbert's amicable front neatly offsets Molly's transparent schemes, Waggoner's thoroughly winning story puts a playful spin on a timely theme. This lighthearted, quirky mix of text and art intimates that some of the best babysitters have really been there all along. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 1-- Molly thinks she is too old for a sitter; she would rather go to work with her mother. When Mr. Herbert, an elderly neighbor, appears and announces that he will be looking after her, Molly plots his removal. He explains that he's new to the job, telling Molly that she will "have to teach me what babysitters do." In the end, they relax and share a book, agreeing that this is "what babysitters do." This pleasant and mildly eccentric story about two lonely people is appealing for small group sharing. While the illustrations do have a greeting-card quality in layout and style, they are bright, charming, and full of amusing details. A gentle message, well delivered. --Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Joy st Books
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0316917117
• ISBN 13: 9780316917117
• Binding: Library Binding
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 1
• Illustrator: Donohue Dorothy