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Babysitting Nightmares #1
Babysitting Nightmares: The Shadow Hand
" Fans of Goosebumps and the updated Baby-Sitters' Club graphic novels will find lots to like in this delightfully monstrous mash-up." — School Library Journal
Got chills? Babysitting can be a real nightmare in The Shadow Hand , the first book in Kat Shepherd's spooky adventure series Babysitting Nightmares!
For Rebecca Chin, babysitting has always been fun. But one night, a thunderstorm knocks the power out while she’s watching baby Kyle, and creepy things begin to happen in the house. A locked window opens by itself, mossy handprints streak the wall, and the baby begins acting strange. When she finds out that no one else in town was affected by the storm, Rebecca begins to wonder if something supernatural is going on.
Fellow sitters Tanya, Clio, and Maggie help Rebecca unravel the mystery, only to discover something unbelievable. A sinister, paranormal villain has taken the baby and replaced him with a changeling! The girls can save him—if they can survive a scary journey into the Nightmare Realm!
There are a handful of black-and-white illustrations by Rayanne Vieira for the key spine-tingling moments.
Read the whole
Babysitting The Shadow Hand
Babysitting The Phantom Hour
Babysitting The Twilight Curse
Babysitting The Vampire Doll
An Imprint Book
"These spooky stories of friendship and paranormal adventure will have young readers flipping pages well past their bedtime."
—Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, New York Times -bestselling author of Book Scavenger
Got chills? Babysitting can be a real nightmare in The Shadow Hand , the first book in Kat Shepherd's spooky adventure series Babysitting Nightmares!
For Rebecca Chin, babysitting has always been fun. But one night, a thunderstorm knocks the power out while she’s watching baby Kyle, and creepy things begin to happen in the house. A locked window opens by itself, mossy handprints streak the wall, and the baby begins acting strange. When she finds out that no one else in town was affected by the storm, Rebecca begins to wonder if something supernatural is going on.
Fellow sitters Tanya, Clio, and Maggie help Rebecca unravel the mystery, only to discover something unbelievable. A sinister, paranormal villain has taken the baby and replaced him with a changeling! The girls can save him—if they can survive a scary journey into the Nightmare Realm!
There are a handful of black-and-white illustrations by Rayanne Vieira for the key spine-tingling moments.
Read the whole
Babysitting The Shadow Hand
Babysitting The Phantom Hour
Babysitting The Twilight Curse
Babysitting The Vampire Doll
An Imprint Book
"These spooky stories of friendship and paranormal adventure will have young readers flipping pages well past their bedtime."
—Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, New York Times -bestselling author of Book Scavenger
205 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2018
11 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Kat Shepherd
10 books25 followersKat Shepherd loves to write fast-paced series that is likely to engage reluctant readers, because as an educator, she believes that reading should be a joyful experience for every kid. A former classroom teacher, Kat has also spent various points in her life working as a deli waitress, a Hollywood script reader, and a dog trainer for film and TV. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, two dogs, and a rotating series of foster dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 27, 2018
Growing up I loved The Babysitters Club and I loved scary stories, and this first book in a new series blends the two very well. In THE SHADOW HAND you get a nice friendship story, and you also get some seriously creepy babysitting episodes, all written in a way that would be appropriate and not TOO scary for as young as second grade.
January 11, 2019
The first book in a wonderful series combining babysitting with magic and creepy things going bump in the night.
I have had my eyes on this book for a long time, and finally I was able to buy it. Finally I could read it. And boy, I had so much fun reading this one that I couldn't stop reading until the story was over. I just had to know what would happen to Kyle, who the Nightmare Queen was, and if the girls would get Kyle back safely.
The book begins with a fun movie marathon and we meet our girls. Rebecca is our MC, and her friends are Tanya and Clio. Oh, and there is also Maggie. It all seems quite cute, but as soon as Rebecca heads to her babysitting job things go south. It was all quite exciting, and I couldn't wait to see how long it would take Rebecca to notice that something was up with Kyle. Because a sudden storm? An earthy scent? Creepy shadows? Handprints on the sill? Something is wrong, and thanks mainly due to the blurb I knew what had happened.
I loved that she didn't find out immediately, though she did notice something was off. But then when her one of her best friends gets bitten by Kyle, then she truly knows something is off with the cuddly baby she is babysitting. And from that moment on she is dedicating all she can to find out what has happened and what she can do about it. And not just her, but her friends are there to help her. I loved that her friends helped her out, poring over books, making plans. That is friendship right there, helping your friend when she needs you.
I just loved Clio's aunt, how she believed the girls, was open to supernatural stuff, and even helped out the girls. Plus, she was just so fun to be around. I had quite a giggle when she did that when the girls first visited the store. So mean, but so so brilliant. I would have done the same to my niece and her friends. :P
It was no surprise that the parents didn't notice anything. I have read enough books about changelings to know that this is generally the way it goes. It still made me sad though, as everyone could see that Kyle clearly wasn't Kyle. With each day passing the changeling was changing, getting more aggressive.
The plan the girls created was absolutely brilliant. Though I do feel they could have prepared themselves better. For instance they almost ate the food, it was thanks to Maggie (for once I am grudgingly saying that she was good for something) that they didn't. But shouldn't everyone know that eating food from fairyfolk/supernatural folks is a no-no. OH, and I definitely would love to try out that egg in cake recipe. I guess I will be looking around to see if I can find any information, and otherwise I will just try a basic cake recipe, and what information the book gives me.
The challenges they had to fulfil were quite interesting. A riddle, food, and then something else. I was kind of shocked that the girls were even considering doing it. I mean, I get that the changeling is probably icky, but he doesn't deserve that.
The ending was really good and set the mood/tone for the next book.
And I can't forget the delightful/fun illustrations. They really added to the story/book.
Maggie was the only thing I disliked oh so much in this book. She was a total mean girl for the parts we saw her. I believe there may have been just one scene with her being kind and that was in the beginning. Then I could indeed see their friendship. However, for the rest of the book? I couldn't see it and I wanted Maggie to go away. She made constant mean comments, mostly directed at Rebecca and I just couldn't think of the why. Rebecca does tell us, the reader, that she and Maggie apparently have arguments at times and that everything is hunkydory afterwards, but I am sorry, this isn't an argument. This is just constant degrading comments. :| How are you friends with her?
Other than that? I loved the book. It was fun, exciting, it had magic and mystery, it had friendship (well between Clio, Tanya, and Rebecca), it was filled with courage. I just can't wait until the next book in the series. Hopefully I can buy it soon.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I have had my eyes on this book for a long time, and finally I was able to buy it. Finally I could read it. And boy, I had so much fun reading this one that I couldn't stop reading until the story was over. I just had to know what would happen to Kyle, who the Nightmare Queen was, and if the girls would get Kyle back safely.
The book begins with a fun movie marathon and we meet our girls. Rebecca is our MC, and her friends are Tanya and Clio. Oh, and there is also Maggie. It all seems quite cute, but as soon as Rebecca heads to her babysitting job things go south. It was all quite exciting, and I couldn't wait to see how long it would take Rebecca to notice that something was up with Kyle. Because a sudden storm? An earthy scent? Creepy shadows? Handprints on the sill? Something is wrong, and thanks mainly due to the blurb I knew what had happened.
I loved that she didn't find out immediately, though she did notice something was off. But then when her one of her best friends gets bitten by Kyle, then she truly knows something is off with the cuddly baby she is babysitting. And from that moment on she is dedicating all she can to find out what has happened and what she can do about it. And not just her, but her friends are there to help her. I loved that her friends helped her out, poring over books, making plans. That is friendship right there, helping your friend when she needs you.
I just loved Clio's aunt, how she believed the girls, was open to supernatural stuff, and even helped out the girls. Plus, she was just so fun to be around. I had quite a giggle when she did that when the girls first visited the store. So mean, but so so brilliant. I would have done the same to my niece and her friends. :P
It was no surprise that the parents didn't notice anything. I have read enough books about changelings to know that this is generally the way it goes. It still made me sad though, as everyone could see that Kyle clearly wasn't Kyle. With each day passing the changeling was changing, getting more aggressive.
The plan the girls created was absolutely brilliant. Though I do feel they could have prepared themselves better. For instance they almost ate the food, it was thanks to Maggie (for once I am grudgingly saying that she was good for something) that they didn't. But shouldn't everyone know that eating food from fairyfolk/supernatural folks is a no-no. OH, and I definitely would love to try out that egg in cake recipe. I guess I will be looking around to see if I can find any information, and otherwise I will just try a basic cake recipe, and what information the book gives me.
The challenges they had to fulfil were quite interesting. A riddle, food, and then something else. I was kind of shocked that the girls were even considering doing it. I mean, I get that the changeling is probably icky, but he doesn't deserve that.
The ending was really good and set the mood/tone for the next book.
And I can't forget the delightful/fun illustrations. They really added to the story/book.
Maggie was the only thing I disliked oh so much in this book. She was a total mean girl for the parts we saw her. I believe there may have been just one scene with her being kind and that was in the beginning. Then I could indeed see their friendship. However, for the rest of the book? I couldn't see it and I wanted Maggie to go away. She made constant mean comments, mostly directed at Rebecca and I just couldn't think of the why. Rebecca does tell us, the reader, that she and Maggie apparently have arguments at times and that everything is hunkydory afterwards, but I am sorry, this isn't an argument. This is just constant degrading comments. :| How are you friends with her?
Other than that? I loved the book. It was fun, exciting, it had magic and mystery, it had friendship (well between Clio, Tanya, and Rebecca), it was filled with courage. I just can't wait until the next book in the series. Hopefully I can buy it soon.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
August 5, 2018
Perfect for the kid who loves scary stories, and what kid doesn't? This is a super fun start to a series that'll get its readers' pulses racing. The story feels fresh and contemporary, featuring a group of diverse friends who each offers her own strengths toward solving a scary mystery. Using wits and cooperation, the friends take on a supernatural foe in the Night Realm.
October 29, 2018
Babysitters Club meets Goosebumps. I really enjoyed this quick read with great vocabulary and “show, don’t tell” language that I used for a writing mini-lesson. Students were begging me to read more & finish the book so they could borrow. Reading the sequel next!
December 25, 2017
My first thought was, "So many of my students will love this book!" A must have for elementary libraries! This is the story of four babysitting friends who realize their regular charge may not be who he should be. Baby Kyle has been replaced by a changeling and it's up to the girls to get him back. A fun, spooky read that moves quickly and will leave readers wanting more!
December 30, 2017
This is a book that will be popular with kids who enjoy babysitters club with a twist of creepy fantasy and dangerous adventure thrown in. It was a fun, quick read and looks to be a series. It will be good for middle elementary age kids.
May 28, 2018
A scary babysitting series... this one will fly off the shelves! It's fun, it's suspenseful, it's hard to put down. Looking forward to sharing this series with readers.
February 28, 2024
This book is legitimately scary. And I'm an adult. I can't imagine giving this book to a child around 10-12 (which I think is about the age range this book was intended for), though some people like scarier stuff than I do.
There are a lot of characters. I never got the gist of who was who but I don't know that it mattered. You had your smart kid, your fierce protector kid, the caring kid, and the other kid, all but the other kid served a very specific purpose.
Overall a good book, just not my cup of tea.
There are a lot of characters. I never got the gist of who was who but I don't know that it mattered. You had your smart kid, your fierce protector kid, the caring kid, and the other kid, all but the other kid served a very specific purpose.
Overall a good book, just not my cup of tea.
July 30, 2019
The Babysitters Club meets Supernatural meets Labyrinth.
June 24, 2018
Baby Sitting Nightmares is Babysitters Club meets Goosebumps. With every well-crafted twist and turn, you'll root for Rebecca and her friends. A wonderful story of friendship with just the right dose of spookiness to keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the page. Highly recommend.
October 19, 2018
Kat Shepherd’s opening book for the Babysitting Nightmares series -- The Shadow Hand -- succeeds in drawing the reader into the lives of the characters with details dropped like a crumb-trail through their challenges. Part detective novel, part fairy tale, this story provides equal fodder for the development of both logic and imagination. Psychologically, it’s on pitch for the age group, and it is a fun read, very engaging from the first page. I love the way that the book models some examples of exactly how differences between friends can be navigated if there is good will, and a bit of understanding and compassion. A couple of moments in the book were realistic enough that I felt a secondary sting. None of this is too heavy-handed, but as with many other good stories, the main characters can be conduits for the growth of the reader. No worries, though – it’s all from the point of view of one (of four) young girls who doesn’t know we’re all along for the ride and enjoying how she thinks.
In short, it’s the kind of book that I would have loved to have read from about 7-16. Absorbing, a fast read, lots of images popping into your head, following a mystery, and even spider-leg hair and an old beloved song? Wonderful!
Some of the folk/mythological themes are familiar – if you’re a fervent reader, you may hear resonances with thousands of tales of dark woodland creatures invading the cozy home, other Queens of night, realms in which eating the food is usually a bad idea, riddles told and tests passed, just-in-time references found, use of distinctive talents, and the value and difficulties of diverse perspectives combined. Contemporary touches make all the difference here, my favorite of which is the idea of “powering up” after the changeling eats some mushrooms.
I’m not sure that “The Shadow Hand” was quite the right title, but the slight dissonance there made me stop and think a little, which can’t be a bad thing for a kid either. It wouldn’t have been effective to title it after the Queen or the Changling baby, and “Moss Handprints” or something more literal like that might have invoked “The Monkey’s Paw” or “Swamp Thing.” This title is instead ominous, but vaguely so, reminding me a bit of the old Nancy Drew titles.
The book itself is appealing to the eye, and not too heavy or light for smaller hands. Rayanne Vieira’s illustrations are sweet, and really add appeal, as does the cover design in teal and indigo by Natalie C. Sousa. The font is distinctive and easy to read. I was completely tickled by the replacement of the traditional warning in the front matter with a spell-poem against stealing the book. Even the binding is solid. This isn’t a book that will fall apart in a couple of years.
The premise is established, and I expect that the other books will explore other babysitting mysteries from the perspective of each of the girls. Good gifts!
In short, it’s the kind of book that I would have loved to have read from about 7-16. Absorbing, a fast read, lots of images popping into your head, following a mystery, and even spider-leg hair and an old beloved song? Wonderful!
Some of the folk/mythological themes are familiar – if you’re a fervent reader, you may hear resonances with thousands of tales of dark woodland creatures invading the cozy home, other Queens of night, realms in which eating the food is usually a bad idea, riddles told and tests passed, just-in-time references found, use of distinctive talents, and the value and difficulties of diverse perspectives combined. Contemporary touches make all the difference here, my favorite of which is the idea of “powering up” after the changeling eats some mushrooms.
I’m not sure that “The Shadow Hand” was quite the right title, but the slight dissonance there made me stop and think a little, which can’t be a bad thing for a kid either. It wouldn’t have been effective to title it after the Queen or the Changling baby, and “Moss Handprints” or something more literal like that might have invoked “The Monkey’s Paw” or “Swamp Thing.” This title is instead ominous, but vaguely so, reminding me a bit of the old Nancy Drew titles.
The book itself is appealing to the eye, and not too heavy or light for smaller hands. Rayanne Vieira’s illustrations are sweet, and really add appeal, as does the cover design in teal and indigo by Natalie C. Sousa. The font is distinctive and easy to read. I was completely tickled by the replacement of the traditional warning in the front matter with a spell-poem against stealing the book. Even the binding is solid. This isn’t a book that will fall apart in a couple of years.
The premise is established, and I expect that the other books will explore other babysitting mysteries from the perspective of each of the girls. Good gifts!
May 12, 2020
Babysitters are a horror mainstay for a reason. They are nighttime guardians, standing between the innocent and the beasties who would do them harm. Babysitters are often adolescents, meaning they’re caught between childhood—a time when monsters are very real and nothing seems impossible—and adulthood—a time when you’re seen as an authority figure whether you feel like one or not. An adolescent, then, is someone who is still young enough to see (and believe in) monsters but who is old enough to try and do something about them.
Babysitting Nightmares: The Shadow Hand is the first entry in a series about a group of adolescent girls who discover that their town is a hotbed for supernatural activity. Our monster-fighting babysitters club consists of four friends: Rebecca, who is sweet and responsible; Clio, who is bookish and cool; Tanya, who is practical and scientific; and Maggie, who is bratty and awful. (Seriously, Maggie irritated me to no end. Kids may like her, though, or at least view her as a realistic peer. Just speaking personally, however, I found her to be gratingly selfish, immature, and cruel. I’m hopeful that her character will develop a bit more and/or grow on me in future books.)
With the assistance of Clio’s incredibly cool Aunt Kawanna (who I really hope is taking applications for a new best friend—she loves horror movies, runs an awesome costume shop, always has delicious baked goods on hand, and has INCREDIBLE fashion sense), the girls discover that Rebecca’s favorite babysitting charge Kyle has been kidnapped by the fearsome Night Queen and replaced with a demonic changeling. The fun, exciting, and eerie story follows this Scooby Gang as they read some arcane texts, come up with a plan, and head out into the night to rescue baby Kyle. Each girl’s talents and strengths (yes, even Maggie’s) aid them in their quest to defeat the Night Queen, and it’s a joy to see a group of girls work together in a compelling but realistic way to fight supernatural evil.
Changelings are a terrifying subject ripe for all kinds of literary exploration, but they’re not as commonplace in popular culture as certain other folkloric monsters, so I was very pleased that author Kat Shepherd chose a changeling as the monster for this first book in her series. Inserting a creature that appears at first glance to belong in our supposedly safe and normal world but turns out to be so fundamentally wrong is a canny way to explore the idea of boundaries: boundaries between the natural and the supernatural, between childhood and adulthood, and between good and evil. The girls grapple with these boundaries throughout the story and seem destined to grapple with them in future installments as well. If those arcane texts are to be believed (and they always are), there will be no shortage of spooky adventures for this group of friends, and I look forward to reading all about them.
Babysitting Nightmares: The Shadow Hand is the first entry in a series about a group of adolescent girls who discover that their town is a hotbed for supernatural activity. Our monster-fighting babysitters club consists of four friends: Rebecca, who is sweet and responsible; Clio, who is bookish and cool; Tanya, who is practical and scientific; and Maggie, who is bratty and awful. (Seriously, Maggie irritated me to no end. Kids may like her, though, or at least view her as a realistic peer. Just speaking personally, however, I found her to be gratingly selfish, immature, and cruel. I’m hopeful that her character will develop a bit more and/or grow on me in future books.)
With the assistance of Clio’s incredibly cool Aunt Kawanna (who I really hope is taking applications for a new best friend—she loves horror movies, runs an awesome costume shop, always has delicious baked goods on hand, and has INCREDIBLE fashion sense), the girls discover that Rebecca’s favorite babysitting charge Kyle has been kidnapped by the fearsome Night Queen and replaced with a demonic changeling. The fun, exciting, and eerie story follows this Scooby Gang as they read some arcane texts, come up with a plan, and head out into the night to rescue baby Kyle. Each girl’s talents and strengths (yes, even Maggie’s) aid them in their quest to defeat the Night Queen, and it’s a joy to see a group of girls work together in a compelling but realistic way to fight supernatural evil.
Changelings are a terrifying subject ripe for all kinds of literary exploration, but they’re not as commonplace in popular culture as certain other folkloric monsters, so I was very pleased that author Kat Shepherd chose a changeling as the monster for this first book in her series. Inserting a creature that appears at first glance to belong in our supposedly safe and normal world but turns out to be so fundamentally wrong is a canny way to explore the idea of boundaries: boundaries between the natural and the supernatural, between childhood and adulthood, and between good and evil. The girls grapple with these boundaries throughout the story and seem destined to grapple with them in future installments as well. If those arcane texts are to be believed (and they always are), there will be no shortage of spooky adventures for this group of friends, and I look forward to reading all about them.
January 8, 2019
There’s the series The Babysitting Club, and then there’s Babysitting Nightmares: The Shadow Hand!
Rebecca loves babysitting. Especially babysitting one-year-old Kyle, who is too adorable for words. That is, until Kyle starts acting unlike himself, and Rebecca starts finding spooky signs all over the house. She wonders what could have caused the change, and after researching with her friends, all evidence points to Kyle being switched with a changeling! But this means that something dark has kidnapped poor Kyle, and the girls must enter the midnight realm to save the baby before it’s too late.
I do admit that the book was scarier than I thought it was going to be. Kat Shepherd has created a spooky tale drawn from different European legends about changelings. I enjoyed the mystery, and the plot moved along rather quickly. The characters were also fun an engaging. Learning how to babysit is a normal part of growing up, and this spooky tale about babysitting will delight young readers.
Rebecca loves babysitting. Especially babysitting one-year-old Kyle, who is too adorable for words. That is, until Kyle starts acting unlike himself, and Rebecca starts finding spooky signs all over the house. She wonders what could have caused the change, and after researching with her friends, all evidence points to Kyle being switched with a changeling! But this means that something dark has kidnapped poor Kyle, and the girls must enter the midnight realm to save the baby before it’s too late.
I do admit that the book was scarier than I thought it was going to be. Kat Shepherd has created a spooky tale drawn from different European legends about changelings. I enjoyed the mystery, and the plot moved along rather quickly. The characters were also fun an engaging. Learning how to babysit is a normal part of growing up, and this spooky tale about babysitting will delight young readers.
November 23, 2018
*I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher through my district library services*
I think this book will fly off the shelves just based on the cover and title alone, but I do think my younger readers will enjoy this. Probably perfect for third and fourth grade. I will definitely need to buy the rest of the series as it is released.
I was a little put off by all the descriptions of every.single.detail of the characters skin, hair, eyes, every article of clothing, and even their backpacks, but if you can get past that it's a creepy story that also touches on friendship, loyalty, and compassion. If you have kids that are ready to move on from Goosebumps, this might be a good one.
I think this book will fly off the shelves just based on the cover and title alone, but I do think my younger readers will enjoy this. Probably perfect for third and fourth grade. I will definitely need to buy the rest of the series as it is released.
I was a little put off by all the descriptions of every.single.detail of the characters skin, hair, eyes, every article of clothing, and even their backpacks, but if you can get past that it's a creepy story that also touches on friendship, loyalty, and compassion. If you have kids that are ready to move on from Goosebumps, this might be a good one.
June 5, 2018
The fun of spooky thrills, creaking sounds you may or may not have heard, shadows you may or may not have seen, and unexplainable handprints on walls.... oooooh the thrills that await you in this terrific read. For babysitters of today and those of us who want the fun of remembering our own babysitting days when the least little sound totally freaked us out! The bonus is a cast of characters with real depth, agency, and smarts. Readers will also delight in a beautiful display of real friendships.
August 14, 2018
Strong female leads that are smart, sassy, and Sheroes when it's time to do the right thing. It's a scary story with the right balance of eeriness and ability to fend off the supernatural, that readers will not lose sleep freaking out over what's going to happen next or remembering the horrors read. Fans of R.L. Stine and Michael Dahl's scary stories will delight in Kat Shepherd's first installment of Babysitting Nightmares.
October 1, 2021
This was fun and a good amount of entertaining creepiness for middle grade. There were great hooks from chapter to chapter and I like the simple rules of the alternate world. Big plus that pushes it to 4 stars for me: ALL girls! I mean, there's the baby, but all the main characters are girls and I love it.
September 3, 2024
I actually liked this one, it was surprisingly spooky and kinda gross in parts for a child's horror.
I didn't expect to like it as much as I did.
I didn't expect to like it as much as I did.
July 26, 2018
Babysitting Nightmares: The Shadow Hand Is A Page-turner Sure to Please Paranormal and Horror Fans of All Ages.
You can also read this review (with gifs!) on my blog
Stranger Things meets Goosebumps in author Kat Shepherd’s otherworldly debut novel, The Shadow Hand. When they’re not in school Rebecca Chin and her three BFFs ride their bikes all around their picturesque Oregon town getting ice cream and watching horror movies together every Friday. The middle-schoolers are inseparable. . . until an ominous storm hits town the night Rebecca is babysitting.
Soon, Kyle, her playful, babbling baby charge begins to bite, growl and lash out. Freaky handprints, fungi, and shadows take up residence in baby Kyle’s house. With Kyle’s clueless parents blind to the darkness that invaded their home, it’s up to Rebecca and her besties Tanya, Clio, and Maggie to figure out what happened the night of the storm.
And who. . . . or what is impersonating baby Kyle.
Horror and humor, folklore and friendship join together to create the universe of The Shadow Hand, the first book in new middle-grade series Babysitting Nightmares. With an entertaining voice and witty, sharp, laugh-out-loud prose Kat Shepherd knows how to catch our interest from the very first page, and keep us turning pages, spellbound by Rebecca and her BFFs trials and triumphs.
Shepherd’s impressive use of details and her knack for conjuring up the otherworldly scenes and creatures lurking in the shadows, let us visualize following along with the girls. The lush and plentiful descriptions allow readers to experience the pulse-pounding journey in real time. It’s an added bonus that full-page illustrations by artist Rayanne Vieira’s are scattered throughout the book and make physical what we can already see playing out so vividly in our mind.
I gotta say, though, leave your cover judgements at the door. The cover art may be geared towards tweens and older children but adults and teenagers can enjoy The Shadow Hand just as much as the target audience. Middle-grade it may be, dumbed down it is not. Kat Shepherd’s prose isn’t ‘kiddie lit’ fare or junky and juvenile loaded with bathroom humor.
The characters are one of the most brilliant things about The Shadow Hand ! Rebecca and her bffs are all fully fleshed out girls. They have their own voices, personalities, motivations, and talents. Each is able to stand up on their own but still manage to be a vital part of the mission. Shepherd is able to convince us of the tight bond between the foursome in just under 200 pages. A multi-friend centered story that short that also manages to have a plot that’s so convincingly supernatural is no easy feat. It’s also something I don’t often see or encounter in middle-grade or young-adult novels.
The bravery and courage shown by the girls, daring to take on the darkness in the name of love and friendship is exactly the kind of story I love to see being told. If I had a daughter or niece, The Shadow Hand is a book I would be thrilled to give said girl as a gift.
All said, Babysitting Nightmares: The Shadow Hand is a supernatural slam dunk. Weaving fairy folklore and heavy doses of horror into a modern day tween’s ordinary world Kat Shepherd has launched a brilliant new series populated by brave girls willing to take on the darkness and fight back. Beginning with this debut novel Shepherd fashioned together a page-turner sure to please paranormal and horror fans of all ages.
Again, you can also read this review on my blog
Highly Recommended.
July 20, 2018
Rebecca Chin loves babysitting little Kyle because the baby is so adorable and well behaved. But one night while she is taking care of him, a storm causes a power failure, and she hears odd sounds. After that night, nothing is the same with Kyle, and his personality seems to have changed. Rebecca and her friends notice handprints on the walls and odd teeth in Kyle's mouth. With the help of her friends, Tanya, Clio, and Maggie and Clio's aunt, they realize just what has happened to Kyle. The baby in the Dunmores' house isn't Kyle, but a changeling. The girls only have a limited amount of time in which to find the real Kyle. Fans of the Babysitters Club and spooky stories will find just what they're looking for here in the first title of a promised series. I'm sure these will be quite popular with late elementary and intermediate grade readers. In this one, things start off quite innocuously and escalate rapidly to some truly horrifying scenes. Warning: Never eat the food offered by fairies and other magical creatures.
January 10, 2019
The Shadow Hand (Babysitting Nightmares) by Kat Shepherd, 199 pages. Imprint (Macmillan), 2018. $14. 978-1250156969
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Rebecca has a dream job babysitting the most adorable 1-year-old in the neighborhood. The last time she babysat, Rebecca found a mossy handprint on Kyle’s window. Now the once sweet baby is throwing tantrums and biting. Friends Clio, Tanya, and Maggie do a little research and figure out Kyle must have been switched with a changling from the goblin world. Since the switch happened on Rebecca’s watch, she feels responsible for getting baby Kyle back.
This book is on the lower age range for middle grade. It’s a good choice for struggling readers. The plot takes the girls on a chase into the nonhuman world. Unfortunately, both characters and plot are one-dimensional and the scare factor is tame. Students who want a quick read with a mildly scary plot may enjoy it.
Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Rebecca has a dream job babysitting the most adorable 1-year-old in the neighborhood. The last time she babysat, Rebecca found a mossy handprint on Kyle’s window. Now the once sweet baby is throwing tantrums and biting. Friends Clio, Tanya, and Maggie do a little research and figure out Kyle must have been switched with a changling from the goblin world. Since the switch happened on Rebecca’s watch, she feels responsible for getting baby Kyle back.
This book is on the lower age range for middle grade. It’s a good choice for struggling readers. The plot takes the girls on a chase into the nonhuman world. Unfortunately, both characters and plot are one-dimensional and the scare factor is tame. Students who want a quick read with a mildly scary plot may enjoy it.
Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
October 18, 2018
After several heavier texts I pulled Babysitting Nightmares from the shelf, looking for a little fun. With a diverse cast of characters, this series starter will appeal to many different readers.
You'll have to trudge through a bit too many descriptions of clothing, hair, skin, accessories, etc. than I find naturally flowed, but maybe preteen girls devour that sort of thing, and I've just forgotten!
The action slinks in slow and creepy in this one, when a window is mysteriously found open in the baby's room. An odd shaped hand print on the sill and the idea of a creature being in the room with an innocent and helpless babe sent chills down my spine. Might be the mom in me.
Things kick up a notch when the baby begins exhibiting strange behavior, leading the girls to research what could be wrong. When all signs point to changeling, the girls will risk everything to get the true baby safely back home. I can't wait to creep some kids out with this one!
You'll have to trudge through a bit too many descriptions of clothing, hair, skin, accessories, etc. than I find naturally flowed, but maybe preteen girls devour that sort of thing, and I've just forgotten!
The action slinks in slow and creepy in this one, when a window is mysteriously found open in the baby's room. An odd shaped hand print on the sill and the idea of a creature being in the room with an innocent and helpless babe sent chills down my spine. Might be the mom in me.
Things kick up a notch when the baby begins exhibiting strange behavior, leading the girls to research what could be wrong. When all signs point to changeling, the girls will risk everything to get the true baby safely back home. I can't wait to creep some kids out with this one!
June 21, 2021
I love and agree with the idea that it is Babysitters Club meets Goosebumps and I enjoyed that.
It was a good and fast read with a good storyline. I feel the rest of the series will be good as well.
The only downside that made this 3 stars vs. 5 stars was the detailing in the wrong areas.
The group of friends did work together and get things done but it was more pep talks or supporting statements, other than that I didn't really feel the bond of friendship especially when one stopped talking to her and there didn't seem to be any real reason or resolve, just that they decided to get over whatever it was and work together. There was extreme detail about the surrounding areas to help me visualize the atmosphere but because there was such detail there and lacked in other places I didn't feel it was a good balance and the story felt lacking. But there's definite potential for this author.
Also, I do love the stories/reasons/information on the creature it was done well.
It was a good and fast read with a good storyline. I feel the rest of the series will be good as well.
The only downside that made this 3 stars vs. 5 stars was the detailing in the wrong areas.
The group of friends did work together and get things done but it was more pep talks or supporting statements, other than that I didn't really feel the bond of friendship especially when one stopped talking to her and there didn't seem to be any real reason or resolve, just that they decided to get over whatever it was and work together. There was extreme detail about the surrounding areas to help me visualize the atmosphere but because there was such detail there and lacked in other places I didn't feel it was a good balance and the story felt lacking. But there's definite potential for this author.
Also, I do love the stories/reasons/information on the creature it was done well.
October 31, 2018
Nothing earth shattering from this book. It's on the young end of middle grade. Rebecca Chin loves babysitting Kyle, the dream baby. One night there's a storm and Kyle suddenly wants nothing to do with his favorite teddy bear. Even weirder, there's a mossy handprint left on the window. The next time Rebecca babysits, Kyle throws a tantrum and bites her. Clio's eccentric aunt does some research and figures out that the baby who looks like Kyle is actually a changling from the goblin world. Rebecca, Clio, Maggie and Tanya trick the changling and follow him to the real Kyle.
Although 3rd and 4th graders might enjoy the creepy nature of this story, the writing is too simplistic for most students above 4th grade. It's a straight forward, easy read. For a series with much more depth, I recommend The Spiderwick Chronicles.
Although 3rd and 4th graders might enjoy the creepy nature of this story, the writing is too simplistic for most students above 4th grade. It's a straight forward, easy read. For a series with much more depth, I recommend The Spiderwick Chronicles.
December 11, 2018
First in a new series about a group of friends navigating the usual school and friendship issues who also happen to find themselves with an unusual supernatural situation. Rebecca is babysitting baby Kyle one night when a freak storm occurs. It’s a freak storm mainly because it seemed to only affect Kyle’s house. Rebecca and her friends with the help of Clio’s Aunt Kawanna become convinced that Kyle has been replaced by a changling and that they have until the next full moon to rescue Kyle. This is a light horror/fantasy book that should serve as a not-too-scary way for young readers to test out the genre.
February 26, 2018
Babysitting Nightmares is Babysitters Club meets Scary Stories. This series has so much potential with young readers who like a little scare. The story line was entertaining and engaging and you will laugh and scream in the same chapter. I can see lots of different frights for this crew to take on in this great new scary series. I would highly recommend for middle grade readers who want to be scared, but keep it real at the asme time.
April 15, 2018
Ever been creeped out when you are home alone and your imagination runs wild? What if it turns out not to be your imagination! Middle grade readers looking for a fright will love Babysitting Nightmares: The Shadow Hand. The well developed characters and the fresh, creepy plot will keep readers absorbed. I really enjoyed this book and hope there will be more from Kat Shepherd with this cast of characters.
July 18, 2018
Scary/horror is not my genre of choice, but I enjoyed this book. As I read, I could think of all the children that are going to anxiously await their turn for this book—I imagine it will be highly popular in my library. Friendship, bravery, and folklore are woven into the story that just happens to have a creepy component to it. (As a former babysitter and confessed scaredy-cat, I would want no part of this job!) I can’t wait for the upcoming books!
August 17, 2018
Rebecca starts babysitting and at first she is excited. Then there is a thunderstorm and weird things start to happen: windows open by themselves, there are hand-prints on the wall, and the baby, Kyle, starts acting strange. Rebecca calls on her friends to help figure out what is going on. They discover old books that talk about another realm. I liked how suspenseful it was. I look forward to reading more of the series. (review by Daphne, 6th grade)
September 13, 2018
More like 2.5. Slow start, and ultimately not that creepy, though the last third did pick up a bit. Some of the lack of creepiness could just be that I know too many stories about changelings, though. Author did more telling than showing, and the story lacked depth of character. Fun enough, though. Later books in the series might improve. Kids looking for a light horror read will probably like it ok.
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