How to babysit a Grandad by Jean Reagan

Ill. by Lee Wildish. Hodder, 2013. ISBN 9781444915884.
(Age: 4+) Warmly recommended. Picture book. Grandparents. Babysitting. This is a warm and loving expose of what happens when Grandad comes to babysit, when the child thinks he is babysitting his grandfather. Within the pages of this highly entertaining book are listed all the things the child does to keep his grandfather amused for the day.
He hides when his grandfather is about to to appear, then when his parents leave, the two snack, they play dress ups, go for a walk, then play. After this Grandad falls asleep in the arm chair, allowing the lad enough time to make some drawings for him to take home.
All the while the two interact and play together, and then when it is time for the parents to return, the pair pack all the toys they have spread around the house, back into the toy box.
The charming illustrations underline the text, showing a loving relationship between the boy and his grandfather, the pair playing together while the parents are away, making decisions about what to do next, then cleaning up after themselves. Grandfather is as all grandparents should be, accommodating, fearless and available, and the twist of the child looking after his grandfather, gives an underlying layer of humour to the whole.
Fran Knight