Nannies Books

Clever entertainment, well researched and impeccably executed. Why aren't there more books like this one!?

These Dolly books are hard to find, but worth the effort. This one is an extremely whimsical story about a very talented trained Nanny. Oh how we all would love to have a Maggie Bee Nanny looking after our children. Every time I read a new selection in this series, I can't help thinking how good they would be if done in film. The stories are fast-moving, funny with lots of suspense. The characters that are in each book are wonderful. In this one we encounter Eskimos, anthropologists, a millionaire toy manufacturer, and lots of wonderful children and babies - and of course the inimitable Johnson Johnson. We also travel all over the place - Winnipeg Canada in the dead of winter, New york and Yugoslavia. We also see more of Dolly in this series. For those in the know, Dolly is a 52 foot luxury yacht. These books are a lot of fun to read, and I will be sorry when I've read my way through them all.

If you are one who thinks the government had your best interest at heart when it took on the cigarette industry, you need to read this book because you'll find out here that the federal tobacco wars were only the beginning. Sugar, salt, fat, wine, beer, distilled spirits, and beef are all on the chopping block of federal nannies who want only what is best for us. And it's all "for the children." Bennett and Dilorenzo make an important contribution to the national debate over what role--if any--the federal government should play in providing for the happiness which Americans derive from their personal choices of food and drink. The authors skewer federal bureaucrats and their private sector "non-profit" cronies who use taxpayer money to try forcing their own self-righteous world views on all citizens. They show with bitter humor that prohibitions on food and drink will follow in the wake of recent success against tobacco companies. I'll put this slim, entertaining, alarming volume right up there with James Bovard's Lost Rights as a book which thoughtful Americans should read. If citizens don't start reining in their representatives in D.C., the executive branch bureaucrats will be free to continue spending our tax dollars to make us all miserable. And thin. And free of alcohol, beef, and pleasure. An important book.

This book is so badly needed. It shows the racism, elitism, paternalism, and hypocrisy that infuses the demands of those who want to run our lives and tell us what to do, what to eat, and how we should think. The authors have an incredible way with humor. Once I started the book, I could not put it down. What is very impressive is the huge list of footnotes that provides solid documentation for their research... This book is scholarship and was published by a University press. Well Done!! A must-read for everybody who is tired of the endless pontification and preaching.

A good read, however ... I was disappointed in how a secondary character, an Indian friend of Josh, was not developed and was used superficially to reveal a dream to Josh at the stories end -- how convenient. Also, I found the ending weak and confusing with Annie packing clothes when Josh reveals his love. Was she at her Uncle's house or at Josh's house? At this point she and Josh decide to continue activities of the previous night. If at her Uncle's house, well, how plausible a place is that for such activities?

This is the third of Judith's book I have read and compared to the other two I read it seems to be somewhat lacking and rushed at the ending. The first two I read were gems -- great reading that had me laughing-out-loud at particular parts of the story! Judith Stacy shines in "Maggie and the Law," "Marriage Mishap." and the "Hired Husband."

Wisconsin, Summer 1840

Handsome, hardworking and wealthy eight-month-old widower Josh Ingalls knew why he couldn't seem to find and keep a decent nanny. The several previous nannies either had marriage in mind or they couldn't withstand his four rambunctious and unruly children. Three girls and a boy: Ginny-age eight, Cassie-age four, Hannah-age eight months and Drew-age somewhere in between.

Because of her distressed family's grave situation and dreadful scandal, tall, forthright and trouser wearing Annie Martin desperately needed the job of weeding Josh Ingalls garden. One day while doing this back-braking job in the hot sun, Annie suddenly felt a severe sting in her rear end. Seeing that the little hellion Drew shot her with a slingshot, Annie chased after the escaping children and caught up with them under a tree. What she didn't know is that she reprimanded the little devils within earshot of the foreboding Mr. Ingalls. Hearing the scolding, Josh approached Annie and the children and immediately demanded to know what the problem was and where in the hell their nanny was at! Josh knew he'd have to fire another nanny. Damn! Another nanny wouldn't work out! This is when Annie decided she wanted to apply for the recently vacated position.

Annie Martin never set out to become a nanny, but she needed the better paying position and by darn she was going to make the best of it! No matter what! And besides, if she could bring the Ingalls together and help make them a loving family, she knew it would all be worth it. What Annie didn't expect was to fall in love with this dysfunctional family but she knew there would never be a permanent place in their lives for her. There was just no way anyone could be expected to overlook her secret shameful scandal. Or could they?

THE NANNY is another delightful book by Judith Stacy! It's quick and easy to read. A winner!

THE NANNY is one in the Return to Tyler series. I was unable to locate a complete series listing, but THE NANNY appears to be a sequel to NIGHT HAWK'S BRIDE by Jillian Hart.

I picked up a used copy of this book and was wowed. The author presents a very balanced picture of hiring a nanny. She acknowledges that in some parts of the country, there are few legal nannies available. She acknowledges that some nannies are lazy or even dangerous, but that some families are hardly angels to work for, either. As a nanny, I felt that the author really respected the work I do. I gave this book to my bosses with no regrets; I told them it was SO much better than The Nanny Book, which I had bought because it was the only in-print book I could find. Highly recommended, and honestly, not that out of date for being nine years old.

The Safe Nanny Handbook is a great reference tool for those who seek to employ a nanny or for nannies looking to add to their professional library. The book is filled with answers to many questions parents have when looking for a nanny and takes the reader through a logical step-by step process to finding the right nanny for their family. It provides personal real-life stories as well as a question and answer section that provide great insight. It also has a nice resource guide at the end that includes sample forms and helpful wesites.

I've been around a different group of rich-and-famous (old money) and can vouch for the author's insights. Her class-consciousness (Hollywood vs. Oregon loggers) adds insight to the tale. Yes, class does exist, and she is proud of where she comes from.

What is it with parents who don't parent? My only complaint is that she should have disguised the Ovitz family because they are really typical of the scene, so why personalize the story? Nannies, along with other help-for-the-wealthy, are often underpaid, under appreciated, and treated as slightly less than human. What is the State of California doing to improve their workers' rights?

Being a teenager when she took the job, the author is unable to assert herself with the Ovitz employers, and that reticence adds to her troubles. She does not blame them, but recognizes her own insecurities as complicating their relationship. I really enjoyed her stories from other nannies, such as that of the family that has locks on its refrigerators. You will never envy the wealthy after reading this. (I know a woman who used her husband's firm's employees to order her underwear.)

The prose is crisp, the tales well-organized. A fun and revealing read, moreso than the usual "tell-all" books. It doesn't, which adds to its veracity. Imagine not making love the way you were used to because the nanny might hear you--and no, it isn't anyone this woman worked for. Her headline chapter quotations are almost worth the price!

I bought this for the airplane, and it's a perfect airplane book - light and easy to read and instantly forgettable.

A 19 yo is hired to look after the Ovitz's 3 children. Unfortunately, even though she is well beyond 19 at the time of writing, her insights are that of a 19 yo and not that interesting or original. This is not a well written book, it could have been far funnier or cleverer. You never read it for the heroine, only for the far more famous/intersting people that she meets and she doesn't really have much of interest to say about them (I met Tom Cruise, I could have died!) I left it at the airport for some other traveller to read...

I loved this book! I received it as a gift from a fellow nanny who met Suzanne at a Nanny Convention in Boston. I was a nanny for ten years and the relationships she describes in her book were very familiar to me. I may not have been in Tinseltown, but having worked with many families there were shades of each in her characters. I found her writing to be real and honest. She wasn't writing a 'tell-all' book. She was telling you about her life and the experiences she had. She had me laughing out loud with her and enjoying every minute of what felt like 'our' adventure. Two thumbs up!

I couldnt put the book down, I laughed so hard tears would be rolling down my face - I was not shocked by the DIVA attitude in California, but this author tells it well - highly recommend

I started reading this book in Target while my kids looked at videos and couldn't leave without buying it. I like this author's style...she puts you right in the mansion with her. I could really relate to her thoughts and experiences. A good read.

This book was funny at times and at other times, I could not believe the main character did some of the things she did. She was a doormat and I can't relate to women allowing themselves to be treated that way. So, I gave it only 3 stars for that reason.

I love this book! It is very entertaining and it will keep you amused throughout the whole book. The characters are so fresh and they will make you want to jump in the book and yell at them sometimes. If you love humorous chic lit, you will LOVE this book. Highly recommended!

I hated this book. I kept reading, hoping to have that "aha" moment where I finally put all the pieces together... but there was not one. I did not think there was anything remarkable about Alison, and I never really liked her. She was wishy-washy, spineless, and settled way too many times during the story. I felt so sorry for every character in the book.... except for Alison's friends.. Nola and Jess - who were poorly developed. I found myself flipping back pages/chapters to see if I'd missed something about these random people. The middle part of the story dragged on and on.... and then in a matter of one or two chapters.. everything was resolved ... but I still felt unresolved since the resolutions were so weak.

The characters in this novel are what I think makes this book a success. The antics and personality of Pepper were completely atrocious and you really just began to feel hatred for her while reading. I kept waiting for Alison to stand up for herself and just totally tell her off and was disappointed that she was more like a doormat but at the end, she comes through and delivers. I'm glad things turned out the way they did at the end. I will definitely check out the authors other novels.

I ordered HOW I STOLE HER HUSBAND after reading all the positive reviews here and thought I would get get a fun breezy romance type novel much like you can find it in any one of Jackie Collins books. Reading it was very disappointing and rater boring and I'll explain why:

The main character Alison takes a job as nanny for Peppers 3 year old daughter August, which is lengthly drawn out over 100 pages including all the likes and dislikes of this job. Also we learn that Pepper seems to cheat on her husband Spence.

Spence, which we know has been Alison's High School Sweetheart, is on a business trip to Hong Kong, and noticeable absent the majority of the time, even Alison states on page 104 "I had begun to think of Spence as just an occasional talking point, not really part of the household". Maybe I was wrong to begin with but I thought the romance between Alison and Spence was supposed to be the major plot line.

When he finally appears, he Alison and August go together to a restaurant the used to go back in High School talking about old times, still no romance building up yet.

Then the whole clan moves to New York, we learn that Pepper has another affair there; Alison, Spence and August go to central park together and one evening they go out to dinner without August and start kissing each other after that. A few days later Alison moves into Spence's hotel room, and a week after that she decides to leave him after finding out he had had an affair with the prior nanny too. Within a few days later than that she starts a new relationship with this guy Finn she knew.

This book is more a run down of events than any kind of a romantic story, everything just seems to happen for no reason, I miss the gradual growing attraction between Alison and Spence. For me that makes this book a major disappointment.

The Sitter is a great book by prolific author of horror, R.L. Stine. He is a commercial writer who turns out at least 2 new books each month and writes in an accessible, understandably addictive way. He attracts not only kids to his Goosebumps and Fear Street book series, but even with his novels for adults--like The Sitter--Stine captivates and keeps you guessing until the end.

Stine gives us a woman, Ellie, who suddenly finds a job taking care of two interesting children over the summer in the Hamptons. What started out as a fun and exciting escape from the city will, without warning, become a harrowing, terror filled experience. You won't guess the ending!

I had not picked up an RL Stine novel since junior high when I read his Fear Street novels, but I thought The Sitter may have potential. I found this book at a used book store, saw it was adult fiction, and decided to give it a try. The plot is a bit stale, as well as formulaic to Stine's teen fiction (dead flowers, dead cats, dead hand, etc.) with the exception of some steamy scenes that extend beyond Fear Street's PG-13 teen makeout sessions. Overall, it's not a bad read. The plot unfolds nicely with The Hamptons as a backdrop, and Ellie, the heroine/female lead is quite likeable and a well-developed character. Unfortunately, as the drama and horror progresses, the story loses momentum and Stine can't seem to make up his mind whether this is a supernatural horror tale or a vengeful, murderous plot against the heroine, or maybe even both. Keep your expectations in check and you may be pleasantly surprised at this quick beach read.

This is excellent. It's Stephen King meets "bridget Jones." Though out of the target market, i did read some of Stine's "teen" stuff, and it was GREAT! Like Stephen King Lite --but THIS made Stephano's writings look like nursery tales! The character of Ellie was likable and I cringed when she received the gruesome gifts, and her stalker ex tormenting her. Horror and chick lit combined in a scrumptious, refreshing cocktail of entertainment. Should have bought two copies. i have a feeling I will wear the first one out with rereading

Typical RL Stine.Someone terrifing Ellie.Sending black flowers and a scary note.Plus on her birthday a human hamd.Yet who would want to do this?Is it Chip,the husband of Abby who hired Ellie as a live in nanny to watch her 2 kids Heather and Brandon.Also what's up with Brandon who's 4 years old and does'nt speak.Also there's a guest house that everyone tells Ellie to stay away for ...Why...Guess you'll have to read the book to find out.

RL Stine has made a fortune catering to children and young teen readers. He, until this book, was a trusted name to be in the hands of that audience. However, my 11 yr. old son was exposed to outright overly adult words, topics and descriptions about drinking, drugs and full on sexual acts all in just the first chapter. There was nothing on the back of the book summary or anywhere else to give any awareness that this book should be only for mature, adult readers. Shame on RL Stine and his publisher for blindsiding parents and their children for his need to expand his literary prowess in the adult world without any concern for the negative impressions that he has caused in the minds of unsuspecting children and parents who thought he was one of the 'good guys'.

The main character, Nurse Matilda, gives the bad children lessons she thinks they need to learn to be good. The book is mostly for children ages 8-14 for the most part. Coupled with the DVD, Nanny McPhee, it is very entertaining. I would recommend it to any parent intent on giving their children a good understanding of right and wrong.

I did not know amazon was now farming their orders out to individuals and that customer service reps did not speak english. Finally got my order 6 weeks later.

Nurse Matilda is not Mary Poppins but she is just as magical - just different. The ending of all three books is similar and I didn't care for that and you wonder if the children will ever learn not to be naughty. My kids loved the naughtiness and they had a good laugh. All in all it was an enjoyable book

This book includes all three of Christianna Brand's books about the Brown children and their nanny, Nurse Matilda. Children of all ages will enjoy the tales of the mischief of the children and the lessons Matilda aids them to learn in her clever way. A good choice for a family read aloud.

Always interesting to read the original of something made into a movie. Great book with great stories. Enjoyable for all.

The main character, Nurse Matilda, gives the bad children lessons she thinks they need to learn to be good. The book is mostly for children ages 8-14 for the most part. Coupled with the DVD, Nanny McPhee, it is very entertaining. I would recommend it to any parent intent on giving their children a good understanding of right and wrong.

I did not know amazon was now farming their orders out to individuals and that customer service reps did not speak english. Finally got my order 6 weeks later.

Nurse Matilda is not Mary Poppins but she is just as magical - just different. The ending of all three books is similar and I didn't care for that and you wonder if the children will ever learn not to be naughty. My kids loved the naughtiness and they had a good laugh. All in all it was an enjoyable book

This book includes all three of Christianna Brand's books about the Brown children and their nanny, Nurse Matilda. Children of all ages will enjoy the tales of the mischief of the children and the lessons Matilda aids them to learn in her clever way. A good choice for a family read aloud.

Always interesting to read the original of something made into a movie. Great book with great stories. Enjoyable for all.

Deceive means to cheat, mislead, to cause to believe what is not true; dishonest, unreliable, a spy. In 1815 France, Evangeline becomes involved in political intrigue. At first, we are led to believe that she is to be part of an arranged marriage. Her French father explained that a successful marriage is based on a similarity of thought, of values, of philosophies, and a certain respect for each other. The norm there for arranged marriages is based on status and the enormity of the bride's dowry. No love is involved.

Evangeline was unique, more like her English mother than her French papa. She was a pawn in his ambition which backfired. To extricate him from a political enemy, she returnes to England as a 'widow' to be the nanny for her British 'cousin', the duke of Portsmouth. She may teach Edmund, but the duke will teach her all she needed to know about love. She proved to be a willing and quick student. Soon she became known as an easy woman (Champions in action -- that's what we are!) but she stayed devoted and close to her first love, the Duke.

Thoroughout her social adventures, she remained a stubborn, strong-willed woman. She realized that she'd never been in love before but she refused his proposal. Truth be told, she had used deception to get in his household and work her magic. She'd never been wed to a Frenchman or to any man. She was a spy for Napoleon's armies; as Eagle, she pulled the wool over his eyes. When he discovered her real reason for not marrying him, he called himself "that proud fool was brought low by a woman" something considered unmanly back then as now. But she wasn't just any woman; she was a traitor who had used him as her "cat's paw." He decided it was fate which had brought her to him.

She'd won and she'd lost. But it wasn't over yet. As long as she was alive, it wasn't over. I did'nt want to die, or you to leave me hanging. It would be a miracle if he had known who she was. Now, it's both of us. The two of us can overcome just about anything or anyone. Edmund proved to be quite a little matchmaker for the two people he loved. A Match Made in Heaven.

Does Catherine Coulter know anything at all about the English Regency period? From reading this book and the other one of hers I've read, I doubt it very much. Her characters all talk and to a large extent act like contemporary Americans. That in itself is very offputting. The characters are too informal with each other, using first names where it would be completely inappropriate, which makes the book less credible to begin with.

That aside, what of the story? Well, Evangeline is under orders from someone nasty to spy for Napoleon by getting herself accepted into the household of a cousin-by-marriage, the Duke of Portsmouth - who, very conveniently, just happens to be engaged in counter-espionage himself. And this is the first incredible element of the book. Portsmouth, and his friend Pettigrew, are *secretly* working for the government against Napoleon. Note the *secretly*. So, of course, it makes perfect sense that Pettigrew tells Evangeline, a woman he's only just met, in front of other people, that he and Portsmouth are British spies, doesn't it? Not! That was ludicrous.

And just as incredible was Pettigrew telling Evangeline that he intended to marry Felicia, admitting that no-one else knew it yet. Why would he tell a perfect stranger personal details like that?

All these inaccuracies and unbelievable elements aside, though, I simply didn't like either Portsmouth or Evangeline. Portsmouth, in his crude way of talking to her, ogling her and making personal comments about her figure and what he'd like to do to her, was no more than an ill-bred lout. And, in the parlance of the time, Evangeline was no better than she should be. Portsmouth was so openly and loudly obsessed with her breasts that I almost expected Evangeline to suggest he draw his sword and cut them off so that he could have them in his possession permanently! He wasn't lover-like; he was a sleaze.

Someone else has already mentioned the appalling proof-reading: the grammatical and punctuation errors, the tense switches and so on. Perhaps Coulter could benefit from brushing up on her grammar too.

All in all, I think I'll stick with the better Regency-period authors from now on.

I know it's a cliche but it's the truth! I think this would be my favorite Coulter to date. I don't care if it isn't well researched... I didn't recognize the discepencies as I am not a scholar of Regency history and culture. It was fun and I enjoyed the interaction between the characters. It was certainly not boring. I would read it again.

This is the greatest book I've read this week. It is funny and really romantic. People in this book really care about each other. Please take your time and read this book. You'll love the language this book gives you.
I've read all of Catherine's books and I loved all of them.

Although I read Ms. Coulter's novels "voraciously," as she would say it, this is by far my very favorite (I've read it at least 6 or 7 times!). It's probably because Evangeline has a will of iron and an unbreakable honor and love for those around her. She puts herself at the bottom; she will not allow Houchard to hurt her father or Richard's son, Edmund. This is perhaps why Richard falls for her. The suspense is fabulous and you just want her to tell him her devaststing secrets the entire way through. Like I said, it's my absolute favorite. READ IT!!