Stacey's Mistake

Book #18, Graphix #14

Original Book - Writer: Ann M.Martin

Graphix Book - Illustrator: Ellen T.Crenshaw

Basic plot

Stacy invites the BSC to New York to visit and help with a big babysitting job. Things don't go as great as she hopes.

Things that are kept the same

• Due to a big meeting happening and lots of parents wanting Stacey to babysit their kids, Stacey gets the idea to invite the BSC to stay for a long weekend with her in New York and help out with babysitting.
• Stacey goes to meet the BSC at central station, she is happy to see them, but is frustrated when they manage to miss the meeting point and Claudia bringing a huge bag means they have to bring it back to apartment before doing anything else.
• They go out for food and shopping, but at times Stacey is embarrassed by her friends, Dawn is scared of everything, Mary Anne keeps quoting tourist guide books and Kristy is being a loudmouth.
• The girls meet the clients, and get ready for party with Stacey's New York friends.
• Claudia is jealous of Laine and they start sniping at each other. The BSC find it difficult to mix with Stacey's New York friends but eventually loosen up. Mostly they have fun, but Mary Anne makes fun of Dawn's fears and Claudia cuts in on Kristy and a boy dancing.
• After the party things are tense between the friends, Laine decides not to stay the night. Stacy calls for truce until the babysitting job is done.
• The next day they take the kids to the museum, they lose one kid when he wanders off, which scares them, but luckily they find him again. Then they spend the afternoon in Central Park.
• Laine's producer father gets them all tickets for a broadway show, Claudia and Laine make up and the girls spend  a great evening together.
• After a late night staying up talking, they say their goodbyes at the train station the next day.
  

Things from other books

• Nothing stood out as an addition from other books.

Things that are changed 

• In the books Jessi and Mallory were Stacey's replacement when she left, so she didn't know them as well, but in the Graphix they joined beforehand, so they get invited to New York as well. They get a little bit extra to do, at the party they feelout of place being younger than everyone else.
  
• In the books the big meeting is about homelessness and there is minor homeless character Judy, who shows up somtimes. Instead in the Graphix it becomes a fundraiser for Rosensterns Players Community Theatre run by Ms Shah. Maybe the homelessness cause was considered too big and too vague to feasably have the parents be able to tackle it after one meeting. 
• Due to this change there is also some other references to homeless people that is left out such as no Judy here and a conversation Dawn has in central park with Stacy about being nervous about muggers and homeless people is changed. During the updated conversation Stacey tries to see things from Dawn's point of view being nervous in the city which is nice, but misses out on Stacey's point that just because there are homeless people living in the park doesn't mean they're going to hurt you.
  
• The girls send postcards like in the original book, there are some minor changes to some, such as Claudia asks to go vintage shopping rather than to Bloomingdales.
  
• The biggest change is the chapter they go to lunch and shopping. In the original book they go to Hard Rock Cafe and Bloomingdales, in the Graphix they get lunch from a food truck in Union Square and go vintage shopping. Perhaps it is an issue of naming and depicting brands in the graphix that is the reason for the change.
• Instead of Stacey is getting embarrassed by the BSC making exclamations over the half cadillac in the Hard Rock Cafe building, she is embarrassed by Jessi dancing to a street band, especially when Kristy joins in too.
• In the graphix, at the shops Mary Anne as to buy a cardigan when security sees her accidentally rip it wile trying it on. In the original book, security guard confronts Mary Anne after she pockets some tester make-up thinking they are free to take.

Final Thoughts

This was one of my favourite books when I was younger, I thought of it as a mini-special as the BSC went on a trip and they each had some kind of subplot. It was fun to see Mal and Jessi here as well, even if it was more in the background. I like when there is some new things in the graphix which freshen things up. I do find the cover funny as it seems Laine and Claudia's fight will be a bigger part of the book than it is, but it really is a minor thing. I also like Laine's look she looks glam but still a young teenager not supposedy looking like a 19 year old as described in the original book. A very fun graphix.

Karen's Witch

As it is some time until the next Baby-sitters Club Graphix is released in the meantime I thought I'd look at the spin-off series for younger readers the Baby-sitters Little Sister Books, which also has been turned into graphic novel form.

Book #1, Graphix #1

Original Book - Writer: Ann M.Martin 

Graphix Book - Illustrator: Katy Farina

 

Basic plot

Karen is convinced her neighbour Mrs Porter is actually a witch named Morbidda Destiny.

Things that are kept the same

• Karen introduces the reader to her family and explains that she is a two-two.
• Karen is convinced the Brewer's neighbour Mrs Porter is a witch, Morbidda Destiny and she find's her dad's rule of no spying hard to follow.
• At the Brewers while Kristy is babysitting, Karen is startled when Midnight (Mrs Porter's cat) is on their doorstep. 
• Karen is in bed looking out the window feeling sleepy when she sees Morbidda Destiny fly out of window on broomstick. She screams and Kristy comes, she lets Karen sleep in her bed.
• The next day, Karen’s best friend Hannie comes over, they play witches and spy on Morbidda. They hear her muttering about a 12 o’clock meeting and saying midnight, but not sure if she means her cat.
• She tries to set an alarm clock that night so she can see the witches’ meeting but it doesn’t go off so she thinks Morbidda put a spell on it.
• But during the day she sees people going to Morbidda’s house, she runs to tell Hannie the witch’s meeting is happening now.
• They go over to Morbidda’s house to confront the witches but are surprised when Karen’s grandmother interrupts their speech. It is a gardening meeting and grandmother is angry at Karen calling them witches, she tells them to apologise and then marches them home.
• The Brewers have a talk with Karen and make her write and apology note and promise no more spying.
• Karen then packs up and to head back to her mother’s house but she still thinks Mrs Porter is a witch, a clever one.

Things from other books

• Nothing stood out as an addition from other books.

 

Things that are changed 

• As these are targeted for a younger age group, there is less plot to divert from. One of the more obvious change is the original book has 20 short chapters, the graphix has 1/2 the numbers of chapters as they have two chapters condensed into one.
• There is a few inconsequential thoughts that are left out of the graphix, but one that did stick out to me in reference to Seth’s cat and dog Karen says Rocky and Midgie are stupid names, she would have called them Jones and Vance. I have no problem with the pet names though I have always thought that the names would work better switched (i.e. dog should be called Rocky rather than Midgie)
• Hannie actually is not physically described in the book, but we do see a picture of her and Karen and she is portrayed as white, whereas in the graphix she is black.
• The ending has Karen looking knowingly at Mrs Porter’s house thinking that she is a clever witch, in the graphix we see Mrs Porter look out with a smile before closing the curtains. This is a small but fun addition, for young readers it may leave some ambiguity, and she may really be a witch, as an older person, I may read too much into it but feel that Mrs Porter is sometimes lonely and actually has fun with Karen’s imagination.

 

Final Thoughts

I did read these original books when I was younger, when I outgrew them, I found it hard to re-read as I felt Karen was annoying, but the Graphix I actually find fine to read. I think the drawings are cute, and I have more empathy for her as she is just a young kid still needing to figure things out, which reminds me of my daughter who is the same age. I am reading the graphix with my daughter who really likes them so that probably gives a new light on them too.

So far there are 6 of these graphic novels released, this is probably my least favourite of them, but it is still a cute book and I really like Katy Farina’s drawings, really brings characters to life.

Mary Anne's Bad Luck Mystery

Book #17, Graphix #13

Original Book - Writer: Ann M.Martin

Graphix Book - Illustrator: Cynthia Yuan Cheng

Basic plot

As Halloween approaches, Mary Anne receives a chain-letter which she throws away. Then her and the BSC all start having bad luck.Then another letter arrives with a bad-luck necklace that Mary Anne must wear or else...

Things that are kept the same

• Mary Anne and the BSC, sometimes including Logan now usually have lunch together at school. Some others not been happy with this dynamic including Cokie and Grace.
• Mary Anne receives a chain letter that threatens bad luck unless she sends it on. She opens it at BSC meeting, Mal & Jessi think she should listen to the letter, but Mary Anne throws it away.
• The next day Mary Anne has a bad day, starting with a bad dream and falling out of bed. Then she spills juice on herself, her school locker gets stuck, she drops her lunch and has a small fight with Logan.
• Dawn has a particularly difficult babysitting job with Jackie Rodowsky, who is known to be accident prone but seems worse than normal.
• Mary Anne then receives a note with a necklace, telling her to wear the bad luck charm or else...
• The BSC are now nervous and start to believe there is some bad luck curse. They go to library to research ways to reverse curses.
• Jessi babysits Jamie Newton and helps him get over his fear of Halloween.
• Claudia and Mal have a difficult job with the Pikes.
• The older BSC members attend the Halloween Hop, Logan and Mary Anne dress up as Cats, as they had seen the musical Cats. They have a good time at dance, but then Mary Anne gets another letter after, telling her and the BSC to come to graveyard at midnight on Halloween night.
• Kristy calls an emergency meeting of the BSC and they plan a sleepover as cover so they can go to graveyard,with Charlie driving them.
  
• When talking to her dad, Mary Anne discovers her necklace is a symbol of faith not a bad luck charm and because of something Cokie said at the dance she figures out that she sent the necklace.
• The BSC come up with a plan to scare Cokie and her friends at the graveyard before they scare them. They find out Cokie had invited Logan in order to see them humiliate Mary Anne.
• They have a good time at the sleepover with the bad luck mystery solved, although Cokie didn't send the original chain letter, they think their luck is turning around.
  

Things from other books

• Nothing stood out as an addition from other books.

Things that are changed 

• In the original book, Mary Anne notices, Cokie and Grace whispering and looking over at the BSC at lunchtime She feels self conscious but doesn't do anything else. In the Graphix, Mary Anne overhears the girls calling them stuck up and babies and she confronts them, in front of everyone. The BSC think Mary Anne is very cool, but obviously Grace and Cokie are not happy. In general Mary Anne in the Graphix seems to bit more confident.
• When they go to library for research, they still use the library card catalogue, only minor change is Kristy mentioning she can't believe they still have one of them. I found it odd that they didn't change it to girls looking up books on computer catalogue, as there are other aspects of the books that have changed, seemed an odd thing to keep.
• In the original books Jessi reads Jamie a story about a shy ghost, to help him get over his fear of Halloween. The book was Georgie's Halloween, a real book written by Robert Bright published in 1958. In the Graphix the book Jessi reads is called "Ollie and the Halloween Costume" it has same basic story-line with some changes like Ollie the ghost friends being a bat and mouse rather than a cat and an owl. I wonder if the change was because there would be copyright issues for depicting the Georgie's Halloween in graphic novel.
• In the original book they mention this is 2nd Halloween mystery they have had, the first being the phantom caller (from book 2). This isn't mentioned in the graphix of course, because that book was skipped over and not adapted.
• The Graphix skips over the chapter where Kristy takes her siblings trick or treating but we do see the the kids costumes afterwards, when Mary Anne phones up Kristy and Karen answers.  A fun addition is David Micheal's costume is described in book as "some warrior from a Saturday morning adventure show" and the Graphix shows him dressed as Finn from Adventure Time,  a more recent show but fits in with the book's description.
• The reason for Cokie and friends playing prank in the Graphix, is no longer about Grace wanting to have a shot with dating Logan, but payback for Mary Anne embarrassing them in the cafeteria. Mary Anne does apologize for that, but also calls them out for the hurtful things they have said, and she hopes next time they can resolve things without tricks or pranks.
  

Final Thoughts

Again while on the face of it this is a straightforward adaption with not much changes, but the changes they have made are interesting. Mary Anne is much more willing to talk up for her self in this, the conflict with Cokie and Grace here it is more realistic for why they wanted revenge, whereas in the original book their motives are not as well set up. It is good to see Mary Anne try and talk things out at the end as well, and apologizing for her part while also not letting them off the hook. It's going to be a while to wait for the next book is not out until October, "Stacey's Mistake" I'm looking forward to seeing that adapted as it was one of my favourites growing up.

Jessi's Secret Language

Book #16, Graphix #12

Original Book - Writer: Ann M.Martin

Graphix Book - Illustrator: Chan Chau

Basic plot

Jessi takes a regular babysitting job with new clients. One of the kids, Matt, is Deaf, so she learns ASL to communicate with him. Meanwhile she has gotten the lead role in her ballet School's production of Coppelia.

Things that are kept the same

• Jessi takes regular sitting job for the Braddocks, who have two children Matt (who is Deaf) and Hayley. She meets them and starts to learn ASL, before starting the sitting job.
• Jessi gets the part of Swanhilda in Coppelia in her ballet school, two of the girls in her class, Hilary and Mary Beth, are not being friendly and say that Mme Noelle is favouring her because she is the youngest.
• Jessi and the Braddocks meet Jenny and Mary Anne out for a walk and Jenny is quite rude not understanding about deafness, which upsets Hayley.
  
• Jessi gets on well with the Braddocks, she grows close with Matt and also helps Hayley talk through her feelings of resentment towards Matt.
• She brings the Braddocks to the Pikes house, and they think the "secret language" (ASL) is cool and they become friends.
• Jessi meets Mary Beth's sister, Adele. She is surprised to find out Adele is Deaf but her family have not learned sign language, she spends most of her time in boarding school. Jessi communicating with Adele and talking with Mary Beth, encourages her to start an ASL class so she she can have a better relationship with her sister.
  
• Jessi arranges for Matt's class to come see her ballet show with Hayley and her mom acting as narrator/interpreters to help. It is a great success.
  

Things from other books

• Nothing stood out as an addition from other books.
• In the graphix because Jessi joined earlier it is mentioned (in Graphix 8), that her family are house hunting and staying in temporary accommodation. As in the original books she moves into Stacey's old house I thought this would be followed up on in this book or the last one, but it hasn't, so it's unclear if Jessi lives in Stacey's old house or if they moved into a different house before she left.
  

Things that are changed 

• Plot is largely the same  as the original book, but I do notice things have been pared down, obviously big descriptions about what BSC members look like or how to do certain signs are not needed in a visual medium, but also some conversations are shortened for example Jessi and Hayley's conversation about resenting siblings or the BSC meeting no longer has Kristy mentioning her mom wanting a baby or Mary Anne taking a call from Logan.
• Also there is less of Jessi talking about being one of the few back families in Stoneybrook as obviously in the graphix there is more diversity, you can see this around the school and of course Logan is black in this version. (A nice visual addition is her and Becca wearing silk caps to bed to protect their hair). Jessi still has had trouble fitting in, but it's more about being a new kid than her race.
  
• Three chapters about babysitting jobs have been left out. Dawn and Mal babysitting the Pikes, who  start making up their own signs. Another chapter is Claudia babysitting the Brewers, she tells them about  the secret language, to distract Karen from her ghost stories and they spend the evening ringing Jessi asking her to look up things in the ASL dictionary (if that was included they could just look up signs on internet these days!). Then a chapter of Kristy babysitting Becca and Squirt, where Charlotte comes over to play (establishing Char and Becca have become close friends)
• Not a change but thought it is interesting to note because they've skipped over book 15 (Little Miss Stoneybrook...and Dawn), a big plot point that Jeff has moved back to California, feels a little strange that Dawn just mentions how she is feeling about it in a meeting.
• There are some little changes to how the book handles the Deaf Community and ASL throughout. The intro thanks Lynne Kelly for her expertise in helping to make the book, it also notes because of the lettering format (all uppercase) that any reference to Deaf person is intended to have a capital "D"
  
• In the original book at times the refer to ASL as Ameslan which is not preferred term but was used in some books in 70s/80s. 
• Advantage of being visual is the graphix can draw out the signs rather than try and describe them. 
• When Jessi goes to talk to Matt's class about ballet, in the book she talks and signs, but in the graphix Mrs Braddock and teacher interpret as Mrs B. say it is difficult to do both at same time as each language has its own grammar and structure.
  
• Jessi comes up with her own name sign early in the book. In the graphix Matt gives her name sign after the show, this is important and special to be given a name sign by Deaf person as it shows she has been accepted into the Deaf Community.
  

Final Thoughts

A jump in timeline, I wondered how they were going to handle plot points like Jeff leaving, if we would get some of that in this book but seems like they just moved right on with Dawn just mentioning the move. In a lot of ways the graphix cutting out things can be advantage (we really don't need a run down of how the club works, everyone's personality and looks in every book) but do miss out on some of the build up. I had actually forgotten in these early books how much of a lead up to plots there was, like here is the first mention of Kristy's mom talking about babies, which is lead up to book 24. It's fun seeing the groundwork of these plots so it's a pity these are missed out. I also note that some of the extra babysitting jobs tend to get the cut a lot, which I suppose makes for tighter plot but sometimes could be fun to see.

While there ave been updates on how they treat ASL and Deaf community in the graphix, I think Ann did pretty good job in the original book, it would have been nice to see some representation back in the 80s and it's good that the Graphix were able to build on that and improve where needed.

Good-bye Stacey, Good-bye

Book #13, Graphix #11

Original Book - Writer: Ann M.Martin

Graphix Book - Illustrator: Gabriela Epstein

Basic plot

Stacey's family are moving back to New York. She feels quite conflicted, she is excited about some things but will miss the BSC a lot. They help her organise a yard sale and throw her big going away party.

Things that are kept the same 

• After staying later at as BSC meeting, Stacey's mom rings to ask her to come home for a talk. After some wild guesses at what their news it, the McGills tell her they are moving back to New York because of father's job.
• Stacey begins to get excited about move and calls Laine, but then she is sad and goes over to Claudia's house. They have idea that she could live with Kishi's until end of school year but that is quickly shot down by their parents.
• Stacey tells the rest of the BSC about the move, when Stacey s not there, the club try to think of a special going away party for her.
• Mary Anne while babysitting Dawn's brother Jeff sees a letter that he really wants to move back to California to live with his Dad.
• Stacey has to tell her favorite client Charlotte about the move,which isn't easy and Charlotte does get upset at first.
• While babysitting the Barretts, Dawn gets an idea for Stacey's party.
  
• Stacey and the BSC organise a yard sale to get rid of all the stuff they won't be able to take to New York. The day of yard sale is busy but successful.
  
• The BSC take their part of yard sale money to throw Stacey a goodbye party. They surprise her by having their clients at the party and having lots of fun and games.
  
• At the last BSC meeting Stacey officially hands her treasurer duties to Dawn.
• Moving day arrives and the club come with a banner to wave her off. Their are tears, but Stacey goes to New York optimistic about future.
  

Things from other books

• Nothing stuck out as being from other books.
• Something that has been left out previously is in the graphix this is first mention of Jeff wanting to go back to California, whereas in the books him being unhappy in Stoneybrook has been building up over the books.
  

Things that are changed 

• The book starts in school before Stacey's sitting job with Charlotte, in the graphix it just starts at the sitting job.
  
• Two chapters of other babysitting jobs are left out. Claudia and Mal babysitting the Pikes who are playing a game of spies and Kristy babysitting at the Brewers who have a run in with Mrs Porter "Morbidda Destiny"
• One of the purposes of the Pike babysitting jobs is to show Mal as a potential replacement for Stacey. They discuss this further in the last BSC meeting and Stacey rings Mal offering her a trial run in the BSC. At this stage in graphix Mal and Jessi are already part of club and at BSC meeting they just mention being able to take on more jobs, so no big search for replacement.
• Logan and Shannon come to the yard sale, it is mentioned Logan did come in the book as well, but it's nice to see both of them here and having interactions with the club, makes them seem more part of the group.
  

Final Thoughts

No more Netflix series to continue with, but the graphic novels are going strong, so it seems like will have lots more of the updated books to look at. The graphic novels are pretty close adaptions but it is interesting to see the little changes, and the visual medium brings a lot to the books. All the artists have done a really good job. I haven't read the next book yet, obviously Hello, Mallory has been skipped over as that was already partly adapted in the graphix no. 5. Surprisingly Little Miss Stoneybrook and Dawn has also been skipped over, so we get Jessi's Secret Language next and apparently another Stacey book in just three books time.

Season 3 - What could have been?

The Netflix series ends after just 2 seasons, and 18 episodes, I really enjoyed this adaption and hoped to see more, so in this post I muse about what could have been.

Realistically because of age of actresses and the creators saying they didn't want to continue following the characters into High School, the most we could have hoped for with the Netflix series would have been 3 seasons and at a push 4.  I'm sure Covid delays didn't help and the girls already seemed much older, it also meant a shortened season 2 and not exactly a grand finale.

Creator Rachel Shukart did an interesting interview about its cancellation and what could have been in season 3. https://www.vulture.com/article/why-the-baby-sitters-club-was-canceled-at-netflix.html

So going partly from that and what was set up from the previous seasons, and giving each member an episode, here's a list of episodes I think could have made Season 3

 

1. Kristy and the Walking Disaster
• Not entirely sure what would be a good book to adapt for Kristy, but she got some big stories previous seasons (wedding, louie dying, adoption) so a more lighthearted one could be good.
  
2. Stacey's Choice
• There were hints of Stacey's parents possible divorce in season 2, but rather than move her to New York and then divorce, I imagine they would divorce and she would have to choose which parent to live with, so a looser adaption with elements of other books.
3. Little Miss Stoneybrook and Dawn 
• Rachel mentioned wanting to adapt this and it would be fun episode, something in tone with Little Miss Sunshine film for the pageant.
4. Jessi's Secret Language
• It's one of the best Jessi books, and opportunity to be inclusive to deaf actors, I think it could fit in well with the series.
5. Keep, Out Claudia
• Maybe a bit of special episode, torn between this and Claudia's Friend, but it was an interesting book to look at racism and instead of obviously having Jessi as focus having Asian character instead.
6. Mallory Hates Boys (and Gym)
• Mal is definitely deserving of an episode after missing out last season, Poor Mallory would have been my first choice but that was already touched on. Mal always tends to have a hard time, but this seems like it could be episode a lot of 11 year girls could relate to and as the show has sometimes leaned more on focus their personal lives rather than babysitting aspect, this seems a good fit.
  
7. Mary Anne and the Secret in the Attic 
• A mystery book, but as it explores Mary Anne's mother an past it feels like it would connect with the episodes well as we've already learned more of Alma's past in the show, as Mary Anne also learns things. This would also make good use of Marc Evan Jackson's Richard.
8. Snowbound 
• Rachel said she would have liked to cover another super special and she specifically mentions New York, New York and Snowbound, while former would be cool to see, I think filming wise Snowbound would be more feasible and is still a fun super special.
  
9. Graduation Day 
• For a finale I could see something like the Babysitters Remember but chose this as it's a story that brings the book series to the end and and has them finishing middle school.

Those are just thoughts of what could have fit in with the show and books I think could make a good adaption, but who knows, especially with some looser adaptions choices they made in season 2. There were certainly episodes in season 2 I didn't expect, like Kristy and the Baby Parade and Jessi and the Superbrat. I think they could have made a good job whatever they chose to adapt.

If I had to choose some other books that I personally would liked on to see on the screen it would be:

• Kristy and the Middle School Vandal (a mystery book, I enjoyed her and Cary's rivalry, liked following the clues and thought it was just a fun book)
  
• Claudia and the Recipe for Danger  (Claudia's mystery books were always my favourite ones and getting to see delicious cakes would be a bonus)
• Mary Anne Vs Logan (don't think it would have worked in series context as they actually decided to not be boyfriend/girlfriend, but bookwise I was never a big fan of Logan, and thought it was cool MA stood up for herself.)
• Stacey and the Bad Girls (this and Stacey Vs BSC it was really interesting to see someone break away from the group and do their own thing)
• Dawn on the Coast (don't think it would have worked filming but would have been fun to see Dawn in her California life)
  
• Mallory and the Trouble with Twins (this could be a good adaption, and actually early Mal books showing her being more competent, I actually really like Hello, Mallory as well)
• Jessi Ramsey, Pet Sitter (mightn't be the best book, but was one of the first I owned so it have a  soft spot for it)
• Welcome to the BSC, Abby (I only read one Abby book before aging out of BSC books, so while not a favourite character she would have been cool to see her appear at least)

In the meantime rewatching the 2 seasons we got will have to suffice, and at least the graphic novel adaptions are still going strong, so I will continue to look at those.

Kristy and the Baby Parade

 

Book #45, Netflix S2 E8

Original Book -  Writer: Ann M. Martin (ghostwriter: Ellen Miles)

Netflix Series - Director: Kimmy Gatewood  Writer: Rachel Shukert

Basic plot

The BSC decide to enter a float in the Stoneybrook Baby Parade but things don't go as planned.

Things that are kept the same  

• The BSC decide it would be a good idea to enter some of their clients in the Baby Parade float section and it would be good opportunity to advertise the club.
• All the members pitch ideas, most seem impracticable, like outer space theme, or Manhattan glam, they decide to go with "The Old Woman who lived in a shoe"
  
• It seems they may have been over ambitious and have some communication problems, so Stacey picks out an orange paint and Mal buys a clashing pink for the costumes.
• No-one is happy with how the costumes look, so Dawn (and others in the show) dress the babies in other outfits.
• The float is a disaster, Charlie is not happy to be using his car to pull the float and the BSC start fighting with each other, blaming each other for it failing.
• They do make up in the end, and at least one of the babies wins in the stroller section.
  

Things from other books 

• While not this specific situation Kristy's dad letting her down is mentioned in several books most prominently in the Portrait Collection: Kristy
• Kristy's dad wants the kids to meet his new girlfriend (Friends Forever 1) in this case he invites them to his wedding, they don't have a new baby yet but are talking about having a family. Charlie is the one who is not happy with it, but they do attend and accept he is never going to be good father to them.
  
• Stacey's parents are fighting a lot (Original Book 26, they divorce in book 28)
  

Things that are changed

• In the book the parade is bi-annual,  in the show it was a regular event but stopped 10 years ago, Stoneybrook is bringing it back for it's 80th anniversary.
• They are having a special old winners car and Kristy and Watson are both old winners.
• Kristy had no idea she was a winner of a baby parade, but Claudia knows and holds a bit of grudge because Mimi and Alma (Mary Anne's mother) had entered her and Mary Anne before Kristy came in last minute and won with a Mrs Claus costume.
• In the book the subplot involves Kristy helping Andrea Prezzioso enter stroller competition and they all go on a infant care course, none of this is in the show.
  
• They all have their pitch for a float
• Kristy - baseball game (book), no idea (show)
• Claudia - outer space (book & show), more elaborate idea in show.
  
• Mary Anne - Three Little Kittens (book), Nutcracker (show)
• Stacey - Glamorous Manhattan (book & show)
• Dawn - Surfing USA (book), Music Festival (show) 
• Mallory - Misty of Chincoteague (book), Old Woman that Lives in a shoe (show)
• Jessi - no idea (book) Nutcracker, pitched with Mary Anne (show)
• The reason Kristy doesn't have an idea to pitch in the show is she is too distracted as her biological dad has said he is going to visit with his new girlfriend and baby.
• This is particularly hard on Elizabeth as her and Watson attempts to have baby have not been successful, but she is supportive of whatever her kids want to do.
  
• Sam doesn't want to see him, but the rest decide to meet him. 
• He cancels last minute on day of parade, and Watson speaks his mind what he thinks of him and asks if he can formally adopt the Thomas kids which they accept. 
  

Final Thoughts 

Obviously this was meant to be just a season finale rather than a show finale, I'll get more into what I would have liked in another season in the next post, but taking it as it is, it's not the worst show finale. Kristy really accepting her new family and Watson adopting the Thomas children seems to be a complete arc for her from her first episode in season 1. And as always the BSC are supportive friend network the ending song being from the original tv series, seems a nice completion of the series.They took a lot from the original book including the disaster float, which was fun. In the book it was actually a nice change to see the babysitters take on a project and not excel at it! This doesn't seem to be a favourite book by may readers but I always liked it. I am sad this is the last of the series, but happy with the adaption we got.