Clarice Bean Guess Whos Babysitting?
#3 of 9 in Clarice Bean Series
on Goodreads (261)
What’s inside...
When her Uncle Ted, the fireman, comes to stay with Clarice Bean and her calamitous family, he's at a bit of a loss. Things soon hot up, though, when their neighbor's house catches fire and Clarice has a bright idea. Lauren Child’s spunky character returns and—as if things could get any livelier in Clarice Bean’s household—Uncle Ted is babysitting! Uh-oh! Mom and Dad have to go away for a few days and who can they get to babysit? Who would be willing to take on the irrepressible Clarice Bean, her pesky brother Minal Cricket, and the school’s guinea pig, Albert, who’s visiting for spring break? (Not to mention teenage brother Kurt, who abhors daylight; big sis Marcie, who chats on the phone all day; and Grandad, who tends to wander off.) Surprisingly, only Uncle Ted, firefighter and movie addict, can be persuaded. Will he survive the week? Find out, in Lauren Child’s hilariously original sequel to her award-winning CLARICE BEAN, THAT’S ME.
Discussion points
How do you think Clarice Bean felt when she found out who was babysitting her? Can you describe a time you felt similar?
What are some ways Clarice Bean tries to handle the situation with her babysitter? What would you have done in her place?
What do you think makes a good babysitter? How does this compare to the babysitter in the story?
How do the illustrations help you understand what Clarice Bean is feeling? Can you point out your favorite picture?
If you could change one thing in the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Clarice Bean's shoes to foster empathy. Ask open-ended questions to explore their personal responses and relate them to their own experiences. Use the illustrations in the book as a visual aid to deepen understanding of the story and emotions. Highlight positive behaviors and decision-making within the narrative to reinforce these concepts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In the story, Clarice Bean learns about responsibility when she is left in the care of her Uncle Ted. She navigates through unexpected situations and understands the importance of being responsible for oneself and others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking care of their personal belongings, completing homework on time, and helping with tasks around the house.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The book showcases Clarice solving various problems that arise during her uncle’s babysitting stint. Her inventive and sometimes humorous solutions highlight the value of critical thinking and creativity.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to think critically and creatively in their own lives when facing conflicts or challenges, whether at school or during play.
Example Lesson: Dealing with unexpected situations
Explanation: Clarice Bean and her uncle face several unforeseen events, teaching readers that unexpected things can happen and the importance of dealing with them calmly and intelligently.
Real-World Application: Children learn to adapt to changes and unexpected situations in life, such as changes in a school schedule or unexpected visitors, and handle them with resilience.
Example Lesson: The importance of family and teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, Clarice and her Uncle Ted work together to handle various situations, demonstrating the importance of teamwork and family support.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in team activities, valuing family time, and learning to cooperate with siblings and peers.