Don't Forget to Come Back!

Accessible and engaging story about a classic childhood situation.

Author: Robie Harris Illustrator: Harry Bliss Pages: 36 Publisher: Candlewick Press Published Date: 05/12/2004 Genre: Fiction - Picture Book HC Price: $15.99 Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 4-8 Read Aloud: 4+ Read Alone: 6+

Common Sense Note

This is a tender, humorous look at a classic childhood situation: being left at home with a babysitter. The little girl tries every trick she can think of to get her parents to stay home so that she will not have to have a babysitter. The smart parents calmly acknowledge her feelings, but hold steadfast to the plan. With no condescension, both the author and illustrator incorporate humor into the story and show the situation through the eyes of the child who is portrayed as feisty and resourceful.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Marigny Dupuy

Using the first person narrative and an appealing little girl make the emotions in the story readily accessible. She speaks directly to the reader in an informal, contemporary manner, in a charming attempt to get the reader on her side. The character is assertive, creative, and determined in her attempt to dissuade her parents from going out for the evening, yet endearingly vulnerable and young at the same time.

The parents are also well-drawn. They appear to be prosperous, reasonable, middle class parents who love their daughter and are prepared to deal patiently with her worries. Adult readers will notice that the father's remark, "Sugar, we have to go out," hints that he might prefer to stay at home as well. While listening and responding to the barrage from their daughter, the parents give her reassuring but not cloying responses, and go about the business of preparing to go out. The fun that she has with the understanding teenage babysitter and the little girl's report about her evening to her parents end the story on a high note.

The work of talented illustrator Harry Bliss appears often in cartoons and cover art of The New Yorker magazine. His rendition of the situation is sophisticated yet warm, and filled with humorous touches, from the characters' expressions to the faux Picassos hanging on the walls.

Since the book will likely prove useful, parents might wish that the little girl had a name to use for easy reference to the story. Apart from that, this story is utterly delightful.

From the book:
Guess what? Yesterday Daddy told me something very important. He told me that he and Mommy were going out right after supper--and Sarah was coming to babysit.
I didn't like that one bit!
So I told Daddy three very important things.
1. I am NOT a baby.
2. I'm a BIG kid.
3. So I do NOT need a stupid babysitter!
"Sugar, we have to go out."

Plot Summary:

Told in the first person, the story features an only child whose parents are going out for the evening. The little girl is adamantly opposed to the plan and makes several valiant attempts to change things. She warns her parents of the terrible things that might happen if they leave, she offers to go with them, she suggests that one of them stay home with her, and then she runs away (to the front hall closet). When the babysitter arrives, the little girl makes one last desperate attempt by saying that she will leave for the South Pole after her parents go out and possibly never return. As it turns out, she has a savvy, delightful teenaged babysitter named Sarah, and they have a wonderful evening eating pepperoni/pineapple pizza, painting their nails silver and purple, and putting on clown make-up.