Nannies and New Challenge

This week, we examined the women, the myths, and the stories of nannies. Next week, we will try something new. Many stories, such as Treasure Island and The Three Musketeers, inspire multiple "spinoffs," usually in the form of movies. So, we will compare a few of the new works with the original source.

Next week, Treasure Island!

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The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music. Produced by 20th Century Fox.


Plot: Maria, a carefree nun, unexpectedly finds herself serving as a governess for the von Trap children. The children, hungry for attention for their reclusive father, immediately attempt to drive her away from the manor. However, the perky nun manages to win the favor of the children and their father through the comfort of music. The family gains fame for their vocal performances, but the looming threat of the Nazis rapidly approaches their corner of Austria.

Genre: Musicals, Movies, Nannies

Reading Level: Rated G

Similar Titles: Mary Poppins, Bednobs and Broomsticks, My Fair Lady

Personal Notes: Many people consider this to be one of the best musicals produced in movie form. However, it is time for brutal honesty. I have only managed to watch this entire movie once. Granted, I am not very fond of musicals to begin with, which probably influences much of my opinion, but the movie just does not have the amount of action to justify over two hours of film. Given the choice, I prefer Bednobs and Broomsticks, which is shorter and faster-paced.

Nurse Matilda

Brand, Christianna and Ardizzone, Edward. Nurse Matilda. New York : Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2005.


Plot: The Brown children are incredibly naughty! After driving away every nanny, governess, and nursery maid in town, the Browns find themselves desperate for any solution. Nurse Matilda, a mysterious, hideous nanny, is the solution. While she has strict conditions for her work, she gains the results the Browns hoped for. With a bang of her black walking stick, the children find themselves launched into unreal situations caused by their own misbehavior. Yet, as they learn how their actions affect others, the children learn to be good, which has a surprising effect on Nurse Matilda.  

Genre: Nannies, Children, Fantasy, Tweens

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: 17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore, How Not to Babysit Your Brother, Mary Poppins

Personal Thoughts: The book combines surreal naughtiness with startling sorcery to get an expected but still surprising resolution. Through Nurse Matilda's lessons, the children do learn to behave. Yet the path to the change remains unexpectedly entertaining.

The book also provided the basis for the 2005 film Nanny McPhee, which received favorable reviews and led to a sequel in 2010.

Random Attack and Nannies

So we end what is, I hope to be, the first of many Random Attack weeks. Next week, we will focus on the fiction (and perhaps fact) surrounding nannies.

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