Synopsis:

Brenda Ashford is the quintessential British nanny. Prim and proper, gentle and kind, she seems to have stepped straight out of Mary Poppins. For more than six decades Nanny Brenda swaddled, diapered, dressed, played with, sang to, cooked for, and looked after more than one hundred children. From the pampered sons and daughters of lords ensconced in their grand estates to the children of tough war evacuees in London’s East End, Brenda has taught countless little ones to be happy, healthy, and thoroughly well bred. In this delightful memoir, Brenda shares her endearing, amusing, and sometimes downright bizarre experiences turning generations of children into successful adults.

From the moment Brenda first held her baby brother David she was hooked. She became a second mother to him, changing his nappies, reading him stories, and giving him all the love her warm heart contained. Knowing a career caring for children was her calling in life, Brenda attended London’s prestigious Norland College, famous for producing top-notch nannies. It was a sign of privilege and good taste for the children of the well-to-do to be seen being pushed in their Silver Cross prams by Norland nannies, who were recognizable by their crisp, starched black uniforms with white bib collars, and their flowing black capes lined with red silk. And what skills were these trainees tested on daily? Lullaby singing, storytelling, pram shining, bed making, all forms of sewing, cooking simple meals, and dispensing first aid—including knowing the best way to help the medicine go down.

In A Spoonful of Sugar, Brenda recalls her years at Norland and her experiences during the war (after all, even if bombs are dropping, there’s no reason to let standards slip), and recounts in lovely detail a life devoted to the care of other people’s children.

Sprinkled throughout with pearls of wisdom (you can never give children too much love, and you should learn how to sew a button, for goodness’ sake), this delightful memoir from Britain’s oldest living nanny is practically perfect in every way.

My Review:
I found myself giggling as a read this book. Brenda has a way of getting her point across in a stern yet comical way. I enjoyed reading all of the prim and proper standards of being a nanny as well. I babysit a lot, however I never gave much thought to the guidelines of watching children. It was just something that I thought came natural to me. I do not know if I could be a true nanny after reading this book, because I do not think that I would wear a uniform, never mind a crisp starched one. It is also sad that the children leave you, and you go on to be the nanny for another family. I do totally agree that if the mother is happy, than the household will be happy!
This w a quick light hearted read, and I really enjoyed it! There were recipes, schedules, each chapter started with a nursery rhyme/story. There were copies of actual reports etc. from Brenda's years as a nanny. I am giving this book a 5/5 and recommend it to anyone that watches children! I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.

My Giveaway:
I am giving away 1 print copy of A Spoonful of Sugar by Brenda Ashford. USA only! Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brenda Ashford is a graduate of Norland College, a world-famous institute for British nannies. For sixty-two years, she cared for more than one hundred children, making her Britain’s longest-serving nanny. She lives outside London.
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