6 Fictional Nannies We Love

Nanny (The Eloise series, by Kay Thompson)
Living at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan would seem like an opportunity for endless mischief, but Eloise’s nanny, appropriately named Nanny, keeps the precocious girl in check. She has lived with Eloise for as long as the little girl can remember and is her constant adult companion and caretaker. Nanny’s British background provides a stern foundation for the curious girl, however she is also kind and cares deeply for Eloise. She does have a few eccentricities, including saying everything three times.

Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins, by P.L. Travers)
With her astounding magical abilities, Mary Poppins proves to be a most unusual and interesting nanny for young Jane and Michael: flying up banisters, donning her magical umbrella, and leaving a trail of wonder everywhere she goes. Impeccably polished and perfectly dressed for every occasion, she is equally firm and reasonable with her charges, leaving readers with a sense of awe as they read about her adventures. Just remember how to say (and spell) the most famous word of all from Mary Poppins: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Katherine “Ole Golly” (Harriet the Spy, by Louise Fitzhugh)
Harriet is interested in being a writer, so Ole Golly encourages her precocious and energetic charge to start observing her Upper East Side neighborhood as practice. From this exercise, a new desire to spy emerges in Harriet. Just as her hobby takes off, Ole Golly becomes engaged and leaves Harriet, whom she believes is now old enough to not need a nanny. Having been with Ole Golly for years, Harriet is at a loss and soon finds herself in trouble. It is a letter from Ole Golly that helps teach Harriet an important life lesson and turn things around.

Nana (Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie)
A furry nanny tending to human children is a bit unusual, but this is Peter Pan, after all. Nana is a sweet, gentle Newfoundland dog the Darling family took in who has become a part of their family. She is a responsible and doting nursemaid to the children, Wendy, John, and Michael. When not providing comfort for the kids, she is often cleaning, putting toys away, or helping the children get ready for bed. Loyalty is one of Nana’s greatest attributes, in addition to her beautiful brown coat, gentle blue eyes, and cute nursemaid hat.

Nanny Piggins (The Adventures of Nanny Piggins series, by R.A. Spratt and Dan Santat)
Derrick, Samantha, and Michael Green are lucky that Nanny Piggins has trotted away from the circus and hoofed it to their house to work as their nanny. Her previous experience flying out of circus cannons is enthralling to the children and they are thrilled to have someone dote on them. She takes them on unexpected adventures, makes sure they eat plenty of chocolate, and lets the kids stay up way too late. Mr. Green doesn’t seem too interested in his children, and Nanny Piggins makes sure to show him that she is just as irresponsible as he is. This nanny is a bit different than your typical fictional nanny; this series is filled with amusing nonsense and outlandish situations.

Mrs. Noodlekugel (The Mrs. Noodlekugel series, by Daniel Pinkwater and Adam Stower)
Another eccentric babysitter comes to life in the pages of the Mrs. Noodlekugel books. Nick and Maxine discover a small house with a garden tucked at the base of their tall apartment building and discover their future babysitter inside. Not only is Mrs. Noodlekugel an endearing, grandmotherly figure, but she has talking cats and mice that join in on the fun at her house. When the children visit her, there is a lot a lot of baking with just a sprinkling of magic. Time with Mrs. Noodlekugel is little bit silly, a little bit weird, and a whole lot of fun.