How To Babysit A Grandpa

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Author(s)

Jean Reagan

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Lee Wildish

Publisher

Knopf Books for Young Readers

Genre(s)

Picture Book

Age Range

Release Date

April 10, 2012

ISBN

978-0375867132

Buy This Book

This is a hilarious and accessible picture book about a child spending time with his grandpa. Written in a how-to style, the narrator gives important tips for "babysitting" a grandpa, including what to eat for snack (anything dipped in ketchup, ice cream topped with cookies, cookies topped with ice cream) what to do on a walk (find lizards and dandelion puffs, be on the lookout for puddles and sprinklers), and how to play with a grandpa (build a pirate cave, put on a scary play).

Filled with humor, energy, and warmth, this is a great gift for or from a grandparent, and perfect for lap reading when Grandpa comes to visit!

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Almost Perfect

May 11, 2012

Overall rating

4.0

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In HOW TO BABYSIT A GRANDPA, a kid gets a crash course in all the fun things to do when a grandpa comes to visit. There are instructions on how to be quiet during a game of hide and seek, what games to play outside and in, and how to reassure a grandpa that the parents always come back. I found all of those elements to be endearing and appropriately accessible to young readers.

The only drawbacks to this book (as a mom of young children)are the sections discussing snacks and nap time. I'm all for fun snacks! But three of the four snacks mentioned as acceptable options are sugary or fried, and that gives me pause as a mother. I want my kids to enjoy fun but healthy snacks. :) Also, the book advises children that during nap time, grandpa will fall asleep but they should stay awake in order to babysit him. Again, as a mother, this isn't advice I want my children to follow. I want my kids to understand that nap time means they sleep, not that they are in charge of the house while grandpa sleeps.

However, I realize my drawbacks are nitpicky things and may not be a drawback to other readers. The illustrations are vivid and adorable, and overall, the book is endearing and sweet.

CJ Redwine, Site and Staff Manager Top 10 Reviewer 406 reviews

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User reviews

1 review

Overall rating

4.5

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4.0(1)

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5.0(1)

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So Cute!

August 04, 2012

Overall rating

4.5

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Cute, cute, cute! This book is really adorable, super fun and probably going to be loved by the pre-school/early elementary kid crowd! It’s a how-to book for young children who want to be the best babysitters for their grandpas; they learn how to greet, feed, walk and entertain their grandpas while acting as grandpa-sitters. Also, it’s the story of a little boy being babysat by his fun and loving grandpa. It’s funny and clever, and both kid and adult readers will probably find it amusing.

Although it’s a short book, being for young children and all, the author is still able to give the characters a lot of personality. The little boy has a big imagination, and he’s rambunctious, spirited and kind while the grandpa is warm, caring and willing to be a little silly and goofy with his grandkid. The boy’s love of playing pretend was a great touch, and I liked how he included his grandpa in his games, showing young readers that grandparents can be a lot of fun too.

The illustrations are very well-done, and every time you read it, you can pick out things you might have missed before. My favorite little detail is the inclusion of a pair of conniving little lizards who don't like the grandpa. If you wanted to add another element to reading the story aloud, you could easily play I-Spy-The-Lizards if you were reading this book with a child!

This book is an awesome book for any kid who is going to be staying behind with a babysitter, but it is an especially good book for grandparents to read with their grandkids or perhaps for teachers to read on grandparent visitation days. It’s a cute, silly book that will make kids giggle.