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Helpers
When nearly grown-up George comes to babysit Mick, Jenny, and their baby sister Sue for the day, there is lots and lots to do around the house. While George attempts to create order, the children follow on behind, creating even more chaos!
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
1 person is currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Hughes
381 books210 followersShirley Hughes is the illustrator of more than two hundred children’s books and has won many prestigious awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal twice. She is the author-illustrator of DON'T WANT TO GO! and OLLY AND ME 1 2 3. She died at her home in London on the 25th of February, 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 16, 2023
Revisited this much read and much loved bedtime story today.
George comes to babysit whilst mum goes to work. Three children are more than enough to keep the bellbottomed George fully occupied until mum comes home.
What we loved about this one and many Shirley Hughes books is the depiction of everyday family life. We loved the realistic depictions of messy bedrooms, overflowing toy cupboards and muddy kneed children having plenty of outdoor play.
There is one part of the book that horrified both my children, old toys are thrown in the dustbin! These include some 'living' ones like dolls and teddies. Luckily one of the children in the story rescues these and sets up a toy hospital.
At the end of the day an exhausted George sits down to watch some Blue Peter with the children. I also like that this book gets across the fact that being a mum is an exhausting and fulltime job. A lovely slice of life from the 1970s.
Read on Open Library.
George comes to babysit whilst mum goes to work. Three children are more than enough to keep the bellbottomed George fully occupied until mum comes home.
What we loved about this one and many Shirley Hughes books is the depiction of everyday family life. We loved the realistic depictions of messy bedrooms, overflowing toy cupboards and muddy kneed children having plenty of outdoor play.
There is one part of the book that horrified both my children, old toys are thrown in the dustbin! These include some 'living' ones like dolls and teddies. Luckily one of the children in the story rescues these and sets up a toy hospital.
At the end of the day an exhausted George sits down to watch some Blue Peter with the children. I also like that this book gets across the fact that being a mum is an exhausting and fulltime job. A lovely slice of life from the 1970s.
Read on Open Library.
May 20, 2017
A real delight and one to share even now. Although the clothes and items may be dated somewhat (published in 1975) the activities and actions of the three children under the temporary care of George are very familiar in many respects. From Jenny's desire to not let any old toys be thrown away, to Mick's absent-minded desire to walk through the house in muddy wellies are all beautifully captured in Hughes' 'in-the-moment' style. This book is full of Hughes' 'telling gestures' and it's most apparent that she has been watching and drawing in her sketchbooks as the actions and life on the streets of London (?) just feel so fluid and real. I especially love the double-page spread of the 'rec' with the groundskeeper's cottage near the entrance and the stern looking attendant near the girls' loos. Just wonderful.
January 19, 2019
Three children learn how to be helpful when George their babysitter comes around to look after them. George has an influence on the children and they learn from him. Even though the children learnt how to be helpful they still show chaotic behaviour.
The illustrations in the book are interesting because they are colourful and detailed with bold outlines.
The reader could bring their experiences to the book because adults may understand that children can keep you busy and for children they may notice experiences in the book when they help their parents or babysitters.
The illustrations in the book are interesting because they are colourful and detailed with bold outlines.
The reader could bring their experiences to the book because adults may understand that children can keep you busy and for children they may notice experiences in the book when they help their parents or babysitters.
February 3, 2012
George, The Babysitter looks like some kind of hippy to me!
I like this book, but not as much as I like Dogger, the other book by Shirley Hughes that I read today.
I especially like the illustrations for this book, especially especially the pictures where people look grumpy.
This is a nice book showing that men can be loving caretakers.
I like this book, but not as much as I like Dogger, the other book by Shirley Hughes that I read today.
I especially like the illustrations for this book, especially especially the pictures where people look grumpy.
This is a nice book showing that men can be loving caretakers.
November 20, 2019
Bought this to read to my granddaughters. I know, even before I read it with them, that they will love it! Shirley Hughes hits the mark every time, in my opinion, in her loving and warm portrayal of children. I’m still collecting her books, and she still works in her studio, over ninety years old now. Brilliant!
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July 22, 2023ثاني كتاب أقرأه للكاتبة وليس الأخير بإذن الله، أسلوبها في الرسم لطيف جدًا، والقصص تعطي شعور دافئ ورهيف! تعجبت واستحسنت كون جليس الأطفال ذكر وليس أنثى، من الجميل رؤية ذلك بالأخص في قصة أطفال من السبعينيات (:
March 2, 2018
This is one of those older books that I had a chance to read when I was young. As a child there are some things that you don't quite think about until you are older and then when you get a chance to revisit those things of the past it does make you wonder a little bit more about them.
In this particular case I would have loved to learn a bit more about George and who he was according to the family. For its time and age I know this book was highly contested perhaps since you have what seems to be a single parent family with a working mother (there is no mention of the father whatsoever even though Sue is quite young) and a young man who is babysitting. The whole story to an older reader that knows history is a backwards presentment of the way society used to run.
Fortunately for the reader George is quite competent in not only taking care of the children with the exception of the store but also in house chores and household jobs. Although like most of us who happen to make mistakes he learns and moves on. Furthermore he also seems to have quite a bunch of control with these children since he ends up throwing away their private toys whether or not they are broken.
The story is a bit lengthy for the youngest crowd and not as interesting for them. Instead this is one of those reads that is to be savored by a slightly older audience but it is the same audience who would red flag George for being a babysitter, especially if he lived in such modern times.
In the end the best part about this book is the illustrations which capture all the details of a 1970s household whether it is the baby being true to herself, the charm of a child who doesn't want to part with her toys or a comfy home that is truly lived in. The illustrations are colorful and yet dimmed down when compared to more common illustrations.
All in all this is a good book for those who may want to help convince children and teens that men or women should be tied in society by gender roles. Although it is a bit preachy on that side it still carries a strong message in how we see others.
In this particular case I would have loved to learn a bit more about George and who he was according to the family. For its time and age I know this book was highly contested perhaps since you have what seems to be a single parent family with a working mother (there is no mention of the father whatsoever even though Sue is quite young) and a young man who is babysitting. The whole story to an older reader that knows history is a backwards presentment of the way society used to run.
Fortunately for the reader George is quite competent in not only taking care of the children with the exception of the store but also in house chores and household jobs. Although like most of us who happen to make mistakes he learns and moves on. Furthermore he also seems to have quite a bunch of control with these children since he ends up throwing away their private toys whether or not they are broken.
The story is a bit lengthy for the youngest crowd and not as interesting for them. Instead this is one of those reads that is to be savored by a slightly older audience but it is the same audience who would red flag George for being a babysitter, especially if he lived in such modern times.
In the end the best part about this book is the illustrations which capture all the details of a 1970s household whether it is the baby being true to herself, the charm of a child who doesn't want to part with her toys or a comfy home that is truly lived in. The illustrations are colorful and yet dimmed down when compared to more common illustrations.
All in all this is a good book for those who may want to help convince children and teens that men or women should be tied in society by gender roles. Although it is a bit preachy on that side it still carries a strong message in how we see others.
November 30, 2020
When mum goes to work, George comes to look after the 3 children. The children and George do lots of things - sorting toys, having lunch, picking flowers, going to the shop, going to the park and watching tv. And then mum comes back!
This story may be useful for children in reception to show that even though mum or dad will be gone whilst they’re at school, there will be lots of fun things to do and that mum or dad will definitely be coming back at the end of the day.
This story may be useful for children in reception to show that even though mum or dad will be gone whilst they’re at school, there will be lots of fun things to do and that mum or dad will definitely be coming back at the end of the day.
March 18, 2017
I was initially wary of this picture book due to its title and my general weariness about the overcompensation demonstrated through the PC movement. In spite of myself, I rather liked it. The story is predictable and its intention to demonstrate "Men can be worthy caretakers too!" is blatantly obvious. But I pardon the book on this charge as it was written in 1978, before the majority of the rampant PC encroachment took place. Most of all though, it was the illustrations that sealed the deal for me. It was so reminiscent of the type of book found among the shelves of the Federal (Dreadful) Way or downtown Kent library I could easily conjure up that musty old book smell and almost feel the satisfaction of a pleasant afternoon spent perusing the library shelves, heading home with a large stack of treasures in hand.
July 1, 2013
Recounts the experiences of a young man who takes on the job of babysitter for three young children.
January 20, 2019
Love this book of hilarious 'helpers'...and George's flares. 👌🏻
November 20, 2018
Old favourite from my children's childhood read to my granddaughter, who particularly loved the visit to the "rec".
August 16, 2020
Ages 3 and up. Originally titled "George the Babysitter," a rare story showing a young adult man in charge of three rambunctious children while their single mother is at work. A sweet story and beautiful illustrations.
September 7, 2013
Shirley Hughes' deadpan text and expressive, humorous illustrations portray the trials and tribulations of looking after young children. While George, the babysitter, attempts to create order, the children follow on behind creating even more chaos! The large print, simple text and detailed colour illustrations make this familiar tale of family life ideal for young readers...more
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews