Dawn and Too Many Sitters
#98 of 131 in The Baby-Sitters Club Series
on Goodreads (759)
What’s inside...
Dawn is eager to start her newest job as a sitter, but she quickly realizes that being in charge of kids is a lot more demanding than she expected. Despite the challenges, Dawn is determined to be the best sitter she can be, and learns a lot about responsibility and problem-solving along the way. Dawn and her brother, Jeff, are back in Stoneybrook for the summer. Along with the excitement of a school trip to Hawaii on the horizon, the Baby-sitters need to make a lot of money in only a month. With the BSC taking on many jobs, they recruit Jeff and the Pike triplets as Baby-sitters-in-Training. However, the boys are only interested in the fun aspects of baby-sitting and not the responsibilities, making it challenging for the Baby-sitters to reach their goal of traveling to Hawaii.
Character compass
Dawn Schafer
Stacey Mcgill
Claudia Kishi
Kristy Thomas
Mary Anne Spier
Mallory Pike
Jessi Ramsey
Discussion points
What do you think Dawn learned from her experience with too many sitters?
How did the different personalities of the sitters affect the way they took care of the kids?
Why do you think having clear rules is important when someone is taking care of you?
How would you handle a similar situation if you were one of the characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion by sharing a personal story about a time you had to adapt to different people's rules or styles.
Encourage your child to think about how they would feel in the characters' situations, promoting empathy and understanding.
After discussing each question, ask your child how they think the story could have ended differently based on different decisions by the characters.
Use the book’s scenarios to guide a conversation about the importance of communication and teamwork in family settings.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story showcases children taking on babysitting tasks, demonstrating the importance and challenges of being responsible for others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take charge of their duties, whether it’s regarding their schoolwork, chores, or caring for others, enhancing their sense of responsibility.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: The characters in the book must work together to manage multiple babysitting jobs, highlighting the necessity of cooperation in achieving common goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply teamwork skills in group projects or sports, learning to collaborate effectively with peers and value each contribution.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters encounter various challenges in their babysitting adventures and must come up with solutions.
Real-World Application: This lesson prepares children to face and solve everyday problems creatively and thoughtfully, whether at home, school, or in their social circles.
Example Lesson: Time Management
Explanation: The babysitters must juggle several tasks simultaneously, showing the importance of managing time wisely.
Real-World Application: Children can use these principles to balance homework, play, and rest, creating a well-organized approach to their daily activities.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: Interactions with children they babysit teach the characters to understand and respond to the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: This can help young readers develop empathy towards their friends and family members, fostering stronger, more understanding relationships.