MY NEW BABY-SITTER

Preschoolers and parents who are about to engage care-givers or baby-sitters will find thoughtful advice here for easing the separation. The care-givers photographed are of several ethnic groups and different ages: teens, mothers with children, and a grandmother; unfortunately, they are all women, and there is no mention of male care-givers. Loomis discusses hiring, setting rules, what to do when children and care-givers disagree, and how to reassure children that their parents love them and will return. Parents are advised to tell a care-giver that when she and the child disagree, and the parent cannot be reached, ``she should go along with your child (unless, of course, doing so would put your child's health or safety at risk) and talk to you about it at the end of the day.'' All of these smiling care-givers devote full time to their young charges; the busy parents all take time for phone calls and sweet reassuring notes to their offspring: too idyllic, but still helpful and warmly reassuring. (Nonfiction. 2-5)