Marge in Charge and the Stolen Treasure
Light, breezy stories in sequel about wacky babysitter.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that actress-author Isla Fisher's Marge in Charge and the Stolen Treasure is a the second in her Marge in Charge series about a wacky babysitter. Inspired by bedtime stories she says she tells her own kids, it features a white and well-to-do family with a mom, dad, brother, and sister, and the book's sprinkled very lightly with Britishisms like "posh" and "gobsmacked." Because it's about an unusual but fun babysitter who ignores rules but gets kids to do things they don't want to, it mimics well-known kids' books like Mary Poppins and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. In a mishap at a wedding, part of the bride's wedding dress becomes see-through and the kids see her underwear. The book is composed of three stories, around 50 pages each, which might be long for the young readers the book's aimed at.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
MARGE IN CHARGE AND THE STOLEN TREASURE is composed of three long stories. In the first, a baby cousin comes to visit Jemima and her brother Jakey. Though baby Zara wreaks havoc, babysitter Marge involves her charges by spinning baby care as a pirate adventure. The second story’s set at the swimming pool, where Jemima's self-conscious about using the diving board, and Jakey's afraid to put his head in the water. Marge inspires them both, distracting the others from looking at Jemima by doing a cannonball, and lending Jake a pair of goggles she claims she used when she piloted her plane across the Atlantic. The third story takes place at a family wedding, in which Marge loses then finds baby Zara, who's made off with the rings.
Is It Any Good?
These stories featuring a zany babysitter have a slaphappy silliness that may get kids giggling, but can also feel slapdash. Marge in Charge and the Stolen Treasure has the strengths and weaknesses of the first book in the series. The message can get a bit muddled. Marge is fun but can be irresponsible, so some readers might find her not freeing as intended but disturbing. While watching the baby, she falls asleep in the stroller; when the baby messes her diaper, Marge hides, so Jemima's the one who has to change it; at the wedding, Marge loses the baby. It's also odd for the age group that the stories are long, running around 50 pages each. Kids graduating to independently reading chapter books are usually helped by frequent breaks and short chapters. The stories are episodic -- a slice of life with a dollop of zany -- so some kids may find them an amusing, entertaining read.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the babysitter in Marge in Charge and the Stolen Treasure. What do the kids like about her? Do you think you'd like having Marge as a babysitter?
How does Marge get the kids to do things they don't want to do or that they're afraid of? Can you find examples in all three stories?
Do you ever have babysitters? Do they do things differently than your parents do?
Book Details
- Author: Isla Fisher
- Illustrator: Eglantine Ceulemans
- Genre: Humor
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Brothers and Sisters
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Harper
- Publication date: May 8, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 176
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: February 14, 2018
Our Editors Recommend
-
Amelia Bedelia
Literal-minded housekeeper in fun easy reader.
-
Mary Poppins
Delightful tale of nanny who brings order, magic to family.
-
Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Whatever Cure
Reboot of classic series preserves original's charm.
For kids who love humor snd family stories
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate