The Demon Babysitter (Nightmare Club)
#2 in The Nightmare Club Series
on Goodreads (44)
What’s inside...
Dervla, a mean and strict babysitter, causes havoc in the neighborhood with her evil ways. She bosses kids around, forces them to eat vegetables, and never lets anyone stay up past bedtime. Becky, a little girl, begins to rebel by writing on walls, making prank calls, and putting spiders in Dervla's hair. However, when she sees horns poking out of Dervla's hair, she realizes that Dervla is a demon. With the help of vomit-coloured stink bombs and an abandoned shed, Becky manages to rid the neighborhood of the demon babysitter, becoming everyone's hero.
Discussion points
What do you think the main character learned from their experience with the demon babysitter?
How did the characters' feelings change throughout the story?
If you were in the story, what would you have done differently?
Why do you think the author chose a demon as the babysitter?
What do you think is the message of this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story, whether they found it exciting, scary, or funny.
Discuss the decisions made by the characters in the book and ask your child what they might have done in the same situation.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by asking if they’ve ever faced a similar challenge or met someone who reminded them of a character.
Explore the concept of 'right' and 'wrong' with your child by discussing the actions of the demon babysitter.
Ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene, helping them to connect creatively with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of responsibility
Explanation: In the story, the protagonist learns to take accountability for their actions to overcome challenges posed by the demonic babysitter.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by taking charge of small tasks at home, learning the value of responsibility and the impact of their actions.
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: The characters display bravery when confronting the fearsome babysitter, illustrating that courage can lead to positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand that facing their fears, be it during school presentations or trying new activities, is a part of growth and learning.
Example Lesson: The power of teamwork
Explanation: The children in the story work together to outsmart the babysitter, showing that collaboration can solve problems that seem insurmountable alone.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to cooperate with peers in group projects or sports, highlighting how teamwork leads to success.
Example Lesson: Creative problem-solving
Explanation: The protagonist uses inventive strategies to deal with the supernatural sitter, teaching that sometimes unconventional methods are necessary to solve problems.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to think outside the box when faced with challenges, whether in homework tasks, crafts, or other activities.
Example Lesson: Respect for others
Explanation: Though fearful, the children learn to understand and empathize with the babysitter’s backstory, promoting respect for others no matter how different they appear.
Real-World Application: This can help children in accepting and respecting diverse classmates and people in their community, fostering inclusivity.