Our Favorite Books about Babysitters

Mary Poppins, by P.L. Travers
In this classic, first published in 1934, Mary Poppins quite literally blows into the Banks’ family’s lives. The children’s last nanny has just stormed out when a strong wind brings Mary Poppins to No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane in London. She is very strict with the kids—Jane, Michael, and baby twins, John and Barbara—but they both respect and adore her. And their good behavior is rewarded with magical experiences, like a tea party on the ceiling, a trip around the world, and a party with zoo animals. Mary Poppins doesn’t just reform the children—she changes the whole family for the better.

Kristy’s Great Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix Series #1), by Ann M. Martin, adapted by Raina Telgemeier
Ann M. Martin’s The Baby-Sitters Club series from the ’80s and ’90s will always hold a special place in our hearts and a hefty spot on our bookshelves—the original series had 131 books, and that’s not counting Super Specials, mysteries, and more spinoffs. But Raina Telgemeier, the bestselling author and illustrator of Smile, breathes new life into the books with her graphic treatment—which are now being re-released in full color. In the first book in the series, Kristy’s Great Idea, seventh-grader Kristy Thomas gets her titular brainstorm while watching her mom frantically call around looking for a sitter for her little brother. The enterprising 12-year-old recruits three other friends—Mary Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, and Stacey McGill, to join her in the Baby-Sitters Club, and the rest is babysitting history! With her expressive and detailed artwork, Telgemeier brings the girls and their sitting charges to life in a brand-new way.

Good Dog, Carl, by Alexandra Day
Sometimes certain dog breeds like Rottweilers get a bad rap, but sweet and loveable Carl is here to change all of that—and to offer up his nannying services in case Peter Pan’s Nana isn’t available. OK, truth be told, parents definitely shouldn’t leave a dog of any breed to babysit their human children (hello, Captain Obvious!). But this modern classic is pure make-believe, as Carl the dog is left in charge of the baby while his mother is out shopping. And the book needs hardly any words to weave a sweet, fanciful story.

How to Babysit a Grandma and How to Babysit a Grandpa, by Jean Reagan, Lee Wildish 
Sometimes it’s not the kids who need a sitter, as shown by these how-to picture books for kids on how to babysit a grandma and a grandpa. Each has helpful tips like a list of activities to keep a grandma busy (“bake snickerdoodles”), things you can do with your grandma at the park (“If she’s feeling brave, try the tallest slide of all”), snacks for a grandpa (“Anything dipped in ketchup”), and how to protect your grandpa from the elements (“When it’s sunny, sunscreen up—especially the top of his head”). Filled with charming illustrations and funny prose, these books make for great readalouds before a visit to Grandma’s or Grandpa’s, and an excellent gift for the grandparents.

Pirates Don’t Change Diapers, by Melinda Long, illustrated by David Shannon 
In this companion to the witty picture book How I Became a Pirate, Jeremy Jacob’s swashbuckling pirate pals pay him a visit at home and accidentally wake up his baby sister, Bonney Anne. And Jeremy won’t let Captain Braid Beard and his crew dig up the buried treasure in his backyard until they help calm his cranky sis. But pirates as babysitters? They’re pretty terrible at caretaking, which makes for a funny read with lively illustrations and lots of pirate lingo. So start working on those “Arrrrr”s that you typically reserve for Talk Like a Pirate Day, because this one is sure to become a favorite in the nightly story time rotation.
What’s your favorite book about babysitters?