Dee Eisel's Reviews > Granny Get Your Glue Gun

Disclosure: I got this in a Goodreads Giveaway, but no one paid me to review it. I entered the drawing because I wanted it! So I was really excited to win and get it. My review is independent and no one is happier than I am that it is fantastic!

This book is just adorable.

OK, so I know it's written for grandparents, and I'm not one nor am likely to be for years. But I do have nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews of various ages, and more importantly I have a son who is entering babysitting age! And friends, this is awesome for budding babysitting entrepreneurs.

First and foremost, the book opens to lie flat and the pages are wipe-clean. If you have ever even met a kid, you know how important this is. If the book doesn't lie flat, you can lose your place mid-project with glue or egg on your hands -ew! And if it doesn't wipe clean, then, well, you're doomed when the kid lowers the running mixer into the stuff to mix instead of putting it in and then turning it on. The publishers have made sure that this is a practical book, and I'm grateful.

It opens with a list of supplies to always have on hand. This is an easy package to put together for a babysitting kit - it will fit into any backpack. For home use, it would be simplicity to put into a pretty basket to have around the house and grab out when needed. In addition to the basic supplies, listed along the right-hand page, it also details other fun things to have in the kit.

Then it talks about having a dress-up box. I think this is an activity that has gone a lot by the wayside nowadays, judging from what I'm seeing of kids, but here is some guidance for how to start a box if you don't know.

The rest of the book is divided into five sections: Creative stuff, kitchen stuff, games, quick and easy, and chilling out. While the pictures and some of the games are oriented toward younger children, there's enough to keep older kids happy. Recipes are given in both imperial and metric units, so conversions aren't necessary.

My overwhelming feeling looking at these games was "Why didn't I think of that? I know these things!" But the thing is, when you have a small person standing in front of you and you're responsible for them for a few hours, it's hard to come up with games on the fly. This is a great thing to look through with kids and let them pick out what they want to do.

I gave this to my son to inspire him. I hope it inspires you or your budding babysitters as well! Five of five stars.