There's Something Odd about the Babysitter - by Elayne Crain (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Freddie has had many, many babysitters over the years. And he's never liked a single one. So when a new one shows up, he's sure he's in for a boring night. Yet the babysitter seems nervous. Their table manners are appalling. And dinner is garbage--literally. But after Freddie decides to team up with the babysitter to turn the evening around, what started out as boring becomes a night he won't forget. forget"--

Book Synopsis

A boy gets more than he bargained for when his babysitter may or may not be a stack of raccoons in a trench coat in this laugh out loud funny picture book that kids will want to read again and again.

Freddie has had many many babysitters over the years. And he's never liked a single one.

So when a new one shows up, he's sure he's in for a boring night. Yet the babysitter seems nervous. Their table manners are appalling. And dinner is garbage. . . literally.

But after Freddie decides to team up with the babysitter to turn the evening around, what started out as boring becomes a night he won't forget.

Humorous and heartfelt, this picture book full of delightful art is about letting new people (or raccoons) in...even when it's hard.

Review Quotes

"Told through deadpan text and very funny illustrations, There's Something Odd About the Babysitter gives young readers a sweet and silly taste of the fantastic."
-Lithub

"Readers familiar with raccoon behavior will giggle as the creatures wash their hands (in Freddie's dog's bowl) before preparing dinner...Neither Freddie nor the droll narration mentions the word raccoon, but readers will know exactly what's going on--and will feel proud at being in on the joke....Read. Laugh. Repeat."
-Kirkus

About the Author

Elayne Crain is a proud writer of childish (and often laughable) things. When Elayne is not reading or writing, she loves walks in the woods with her sons and partner, nature photography, and lively karaoke. Her debut picture book, There's Something Odd About the Babysitter (illustrated by John Ledda), publishes in 2025.

John Ledda considered many careers--from architect to dolphin trainer--before returning to the one thing he had always loved: Art. With a BA in Studio Art and an MFA in Illustration, John is now an illustrator, graphic designer, and writer-in-training. He creates exciting, whimsical worlds full of expressive characters and documents moments--big and small--that kids experience as they learn and grow.