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#102 in The Baby-Sitters Club Series

Mary Anne and the Little Princess

3.67
on Goodreads (614)

What’s inside...

Mary Anne, a member of the Baby-Sitters Club, gets an exciting job babysitting a young princess from a small European country who is living in Stoneybrook for a month. The princess proves to be a handful, but Mary Anne rises to the occasion. Additionally, she is hired as the temporary companion to young Victoria Kent, who is distantly in line for the British throne. Mary Anne faces challenges in getting Victoria, who has experienced too many partings, to open up to her. Despite the obstacles, Mary Anne is determined to succeed in her roles.
In series
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
142 pages
Text complexity

Discussion points

How did Mary Anne's feelings change throughout the story and why do you think they changed?
What do you think makes someone a good friend, based on how Mary Anne and the Little Princess treated each other?
If you were in Mary Anne’s shoes, how would you have handled the situation with the Little Princess?
What did you learn about being responsible from Mary Anne’s actions in the story?
How does the story show the importance of understanding and compassion between friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by asking them how they would feel in similar situations. Highlight the emotional growth of the characters to help your child understand the developmental themes. Use expressive read-aloud techniques, changing your tone and pace to match the narrative, making the story more engaging for your child. After reading, ask your child to draw a scene from the book they found meaningful, fostering a deeper connection to the story’s themes.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The protagonist, Mary Anne, demonstrates empathy by understanding the feelings of the young princess who struggles to adjust to a new environment.
Real-World Application: Children learn to recognize and respond to the emotions of others, aiding in building compassionate relationships in school and at home.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Mary Anne takes on the responsibility of caring for the princess, showcasing the importance of being dependable and trustworthy.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be reliable when given tasks or responsibilities, be it in their chores at home or assignments in school.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: Throughout the story, Mary Anne adapts to various challenges she faces, teaching children the importance of being flexible and resilient in unfamiliar situations.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the value of adjusting to different settings or changes, such as moving to a new school or dealing with changes at home.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: The book highlights the development of a deep bond between Mary Anne and the princess, emphasizing the value of friendship and mutual support.
Real-World Application: Reinforces the importance of building and maintaining friendships, showing kindness and support to peers in social settings.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Mary Anne shows courage when facing new challenges and stepping out of her comfort zone to care for the princess.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to face fears and take on new challenges, whether it be participating in a school play, trying out for a sports team, or standing up for what is right.