Halley Bondy is based in Brooklyn and has worked as a news reporter for the Newark Star Ledger, an arts journalist for Back Stage, and as an editor for MTV Iggy. A playwright, comedian, and the winner of the 2008 Fringe Festival NYC for Outstanding Playwright, she is the author of Don’t Sit on the Baby (Zest Books 2012).
Bondy has done a great service for wannabe and inexperienced
babysitters everywhere in this chatty introduction to the joys and
challenges of being paid to watch someone else's children. Speaking
from years of experience as a babysitter and nanny, Bondy writes in
a tone that is fresh and authentic. Following a brief overview of
the role of sitter and a fun but pointed quiz to help readers
assess if babysitting will suit them, the book focuses on essential
skills, including playtime ideas; tips for dealing with finicky
eaters and changing diapers; and an introduction to basic first
aid. The well-designed layouts are easy to navigate, while a
helpful index will further assist readers seeking specific topics.
The final portion of the book focuses on the business side of
sitting: how to find and secure the right job; how to ask for more
money; and when to quit. An attractive package bolstered with
anecdotes from real-life teen sitters, this is a solid, useful
choice for all libraries.--Booklist-- "Journal"
Teens can learn all they need to become savvy sitters with this
guide. Straightforward, engaging prose leads readers through an
explanation of the job, including a babysitter personality quiz and
a swift primer on child development. Continuing the practical
approach, the next section highlights tasks that a babysitter will
perform, such as feeding and bedtime. There are also much-needed
and welcome topics like disciplining the children and how the
babysitter should take care of his or her own needs, too. The
section on turning babysitting jobs into a business will be
especially useful for teens who don't have much job experience,
with advice on how much to charge and such obligations as taxes.
'Safety First!' sidebars throughout the guide offer advice on
performing CPR and spotting signs of child abuse, while 'Tales from
the Crib' feature teens talking about the good and bad aspects of
sitting, like getting to know the kids and how to understand
parental expectations. This book's friendly tone and common-sense
advice suit both brand-new sitters and those who are looking to
improve their skills.--Kirkus Reviews-- "Journal"
Wearing multiple hats as a writer and editor for MTV World, a
former nanny puts her comedy skills to work in this useful guide.
The table of contents, index, and list of resources, including both
the phone number of the Poison Control Center and a link to the Yo
Gabba Gabba! craft website, make it a valuable tool. Bondy explains
the reality of babysitting kids of all ages, from teething infants
to bored first graders. She does not sugarcoat the challenges or
make it seem like an impossible task. Additionally, the tone is
gender-neutral, never assuming that the audience is female. The
book is well organized and clearly written and has the added bonus
of offering tips for how to create a résumé and find a babysitting
job. Given its slightly sarcastic tone, it should find a willing
audience among upper middle school through high school students and
would make an excellent addition to career/job search
collections.--School Library Journal-- "Journal"
With light humor and ample encouragement, Bondy introduces
prospective babysitters to the basics, including what to expect
from different children at different ages, finding clients, keeping
kids comfortable and safe, and handling emergency situations.
Presenting babysitting as a challenging but rewarding way to earn
money and build experience, Bondy also includes personal
testimonies and practical advice from tween and teenage
babysitters. Quizzes, recipes, and tips for starting a babysitters
club should entertain and ease readers into their first
gig.--Publishers Weekly-- "Journal"
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