Nannies for Hire

From School Library Journal Grade 2-4-The three best friends from Hest's Pajama Party (Morrow, 1992)- Casey, Jenny, and Kate-are back. Jenny's Mom is exhausted from caring for her new baby, and Kate thinks that the three pals can reduce the stress in Jenny's house by helping out-for a small fee. Hest's story is a realistic portrayal of the ups and downs of friendship and family life, and the challenges of caring for a six-month-old child. The only aspect of the book that doesn't ring true is how innocent the characters seem to be about conception. The girls are so embarrassed by Jenny's book on the subject that they hide it in a brown bag high up on a shelf. Nevertheless, Nannies for Hire, with its occasional, realistic full-color illustrations, will be popular with newly independent readers.