The Complete Babysitter Out of Control! Series - MOONBEAM AWARDS GOLD MEDAL WINNER

2015 Moonbeam GOLD MEDAL Winner

Juvenile Fiction - Early Reader/1st Chapter Books 

Long-listed for the 2016 Silver Birch Award.

Selected for the Fall 2015 Edition of Best Books for Kids & Teens.

Published: February 10, 2015

Dimensions: 5.50 x 8.5 in x .75 in

331 pages

ISBN-13: 9780981052595

Format: Trade Paperback

Binding: Perfect Bound

Juvenile Fiction 7+

Full-page colour illustrations

Illustrated by Manuel N. Cadag

Order print copies from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca.

eBOOK available from KINDLE, and Hoopla.

From the Publisher:

The zany adventures of Stewart and his eccentric babysitter, Mrs. Chairbottom, are featured in this compilation of the six books in the Babysitter Out of Control! series: Babysitter Out of Control!, Looking for Love on Mongo Tongo, The Improbable Party on Purple Plum Lane, What Happened in July (selected for Best Books for Kids & Teens - Spring 2013), The Sinking of the Wiley Bean, and, The Queen of Second Chances. 

From the Critics:

 "The babysitter, Mrs. Chairbottom, is a delightful if unorthodox babysitter. She takes care of Stewart (or does Stewart take care of her?) in a number of adventures and misadventures. Stewart does not really reveal to his parents how 'unusual' his babysitter is, and herein lies the charm of the series. Zany Mrs. Chairbottom also owns a pet parrot, Petey, who is a great fan of the Home Shopping Channel!

   This series will keep the reader glued to the book in order to find out the outcome of each of the fast-paced and funny stories.

   The accomplished author believes that, 'The best compliment a reader can give me is: I couldn't put the book down, because delivering a compelling story is my primary aim. If the reader gets something deeper from it, I think that's wonderful.' She has more than delivered on that goal in this series." - The Kingsville Reporter, Feb. 16, 2016.

"The initial concept of an eccentric babysitter who, herself, needs babysitting is a fun one that has served the series well. Recommended." CM: Canadian Review of Materials, March 27th, 2015

Reader Reviews on Goodreads.com

The Queen of Second Chances

Published: September 29, 2014

Dimensions: 5.25 x 8.5 in

43 pages

ISBN-13: 9780981052588

Format: Trade Paperback

Binding: Perfect Bound
Juvenile Fiction Ages: 6 - 9

From the Publisher:

In this thrilling conclusion to the Babysitter Out of Control! series, Stewart finds himself in an unusual predicament as Mrs. Chairbottom and Colonel Peabody put the finishing touches on their upcoming wedding.

Book Six in the Babysitter Out of Control! Series

From the Critics:
"The Queen of Second Chances brings the series to a close, with the wedding of Mrs. Chairbottom and Colonel Peabody on the island of Mongo Tongo being the featured event. Stewart, who is to be the colonel`s best man, fears that somehow he will mess up the wedding. To get out of the way (and out of trouble), Stewart, along with his best friend Henry, joins Ronald, Mrs. Chairbottom`s chauffeur, on a fishing expedition on the ocean. After the fishing trio are stranded in their small fishing craft on the water, but before they are rescued by Mrs. Chairbottom, Ronald explains to the boys why he refers to Mrs. Chairbottom as 'the Queen of Second Chances'. Recommended." CM: Canadian Review of Materials, March 27th, 2015

Reader Reviews on Goodreads.com

The Sinking of the Wiley Bean

Published: May 3, 2013

Dimensions: 5.25 x 8.5 in

50 pages

ISBN-13: 9780981052557

Format: Trade Paperback
Binding: Perfect Bound
Juvenile Fiction Ages: 6 - 9

From the Publisher:

Bad luck threatens to sink a wedding after Stewart and Colonel Peabody dig up an unusual figurehead. 

Book Five of the Babysitter Out of Control! Series

From the Critics:

"Mrs. Chairbottom is the babysitter with whom most young children would enjoy spending time, as Stewart obviously does, leading him into unusual situations and providing atypical adult responses to most circumstances.  Stewart's parents both trust Mrs. Chairbottom to care and nurture his young mind.  I think you can safely do the same." CanLit for Little Canadians, June 24, 2013

"Margaret J. McMaster uses a pleasing, fast writing style completely appropriate for an early chapter book. Anyone who has enjoyed the 'Babysitter Out of Control!' books up to this point will delight in this latest addition to the series. Recommended." CM: Canadian Review of Materials, Oct. 4, 2013

Reader Reviews from Goodreads.com

What Happened in July

Format: Trade Paperback

Published: August 31, 2012

Dimensions: 5.25 x 8.5 in

57 pages

ISBN-13: 9780981052540
Binding: Perfect Bound
Juvenile Fiction Ages: 6 - 9

From the Publisher:

By solving a message written in secret code, Stewart, Mrs. Chairbottom, and Colonel Peabody discover what happened in Mrs. Chairbottom's house in July of 1932.

Book Four of the Babysitter Out of Control! Series

Selected for the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids & Teens - Spring 2013

From the Critics:
"What Happened in July is an exciting book and a good read. Recommended." CM: Canadian Review of Materials, Oct. 12, 2012

"Reminiscent of the Horrible Harry (by Suzy Kline) and Nate the Great (by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat) series of mysteries for young readers, What Happened in July presents a simple mystery that gives readers a chance to try out some new skills, here code-breaking. While the nature of early readers generally precludes multi-layered plotting and characterizations, What Happened in July provides more than just a linear mystery plot i.e., discovering a mystery and directly finding the solution. Because of the addition of the code-breaking and help needed to discover information not readily accessible, young readers will experience the more complicated plotting of a true mystery." CanLit for Little Canadians, Oct. 22, 2012
http://canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.ca/2012/10/what-happened-in-july.html

"Her latest book promises to be just as enjoyable as the others, with children reading it across Canada." Biz X Magazine, March 2013 http://www.bizxmagazine.com/issues/March-2013/#p=32

Reader Reviews from Goodreads.com

The Improbable Party on Purple Plum Lane

Format: Trade Paperback

Published: June 22, 2011            

Dimensions: 5.25 x 8.5 in, 53 pages

ISBN-13: 9780981052533                    

Binding: Perfect Bound

Juvenile Fiction Ages: 6 - 9                                                      

From the Publisher:

Stewart goes over to Mrs. Chairbottom's house expecting a Hallowe'en party and discovers ... something else!

Book Three of the Babysitter Out of Control! Series

From the Critics:

"In keeping with the other two books in the series, this is a quick-paced, plot-driven novel aimed at children new to the world of chapter books. The illustrations are bright and colourful, with the right amount of spookiness for a young reader. Recommended." CM: Canadian Review of Materials, Feb. 17, 2012

Selected one of the Spooky Young Canlit Reads for Halloween!

Reader Reviews from Goodreads.com

Looking for Love on Mongo Tongo

Format: Trade Paperback
Published: March 8, 2010
Dimensions: 57 pages, 5.25 x 8.5 in
ISBN-13: 9780981052526
Binding: Perfect Bound
Juvenile Fiction Ages 6 - 9

From the Publisher:

When Petey suffers a broken heart and starts losing his feathers, Mrs. Chairbottom decides to retrieve his one true love from the island of Mongo Tongo.

Book Two of the Babysitter Out of Control! Series

From the Critics:

"This is a wonderful children's story that would appeal to both boys and girls. It's 57 pages long, so wouldn't be intimidating for children that aren't really book lovers. The story is quick paced, easy to read and has beautiful color illustrations. The touches of humor, action, and friendship will definitely appeal to children."  Susan Ashcraft, May 26, 2012

http://susanreviews.com/2012/05/26/looking-for-love-on-mongo-tongo-review/

What an adorable book!

"The kids just wouldn't let me put it down!" 

Regina E. Hott "Gina ~ Hott Books", October 10th, 2011

"Looking for Love on Mongo Tongo is a lighthearted, amusing, fast-paced adventure that will thrill young readers. Highly recommended." CM: Canadian Review of Materials, June 4th,2010

http://umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol16/no38/lookingforlove.html

"This mad-cap tale is a pleasure to read and is especially good for children who are starting to read chapter books. The book is beautifully illustrated and has a very imaginative plot line with barrels of laughs." BIZ X Magazine, September 2010 issue

Reader Reviews from Goodreads.com

Babysitter Out of Control!

Format: Trade Paperback
Published: Jan. 7, 2009
Dimensions: 57 pages, 5.25 x 8.5 in
ISBN-13: 9780981052519

Binding: Perfect Bound
Juvenile Fiction Ages 6- 9

From the Publisher:

Mrs. Chairbottom is watching Stewart for the weekend. But the question is, who's watching Mrs. Chairbottom? Instead of spending a weekend full of freedom and mischief, Stewart must keep his wits about him in order to stay ahead of the troublesome babysitter and her parrot.

From the Critics:

"Babysitter Out of Control is aimed at young children ready to tackle their first chapter book. Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials, May 15th, 2009


Reader Reviews from Goodreads.com