Hopscotch is brave about many things: taking spiders outside, getting bandaged after a tricycle fall, hanging upside-down on the trapeze—none of these faze him a bit. But the fact that tonight is a babysitter night makes him feel all worried inside—bedtime just isn’t the same without Mommy and Daddy. Elderly Mrs. Honeybunch tries to tempt Hopscotch with all sorts of activities, but he only wants to hide under a blanket-covered table he called his “No Babysitters Allowed camp.” But sulking alone quickly gets boring. Sly Mrs. Honeybunch settles in to read stories to Hopscotch’s toy rabbit, but she mixes them up so badly that he is lured out of hiding, and finally she capably and satisfactorily tucks him into bed. Hopscotch decides that Mrs. Honeybunch can come back and play whenever she wants. Rankin’s acrylic illustrations are delightfully adorable; she is a master of facial expressions, and no one will be in any doubt as to what the characters are feeling. A great way to soothe children facing a night with the “dreaded” babysitter. (Picture book. 4-7)
