Wanted: Toddler’s Personal Assistant; How Nannying for the 1% Taught Me About the Myths of Equality, Motherhood, and Upward Mobility in America

For nearly a decade, Kiser nannied for New York’s elite. Now she makes her compelling debut with this candid memoir comparing her own humble childhood to the extravagance she witnessed as a caregiver for well-to-do toddlers. From downtown Manhattan to Disneyland, Kiser struggled to find her place with the families she served, never quite fitting in with the young moms or older nannies. The years she gave to these families taught her that sometimes a job actually can love a person back, but it also opened her eyes to the fact that the rift between social classes in America is as big as ever. Narrated by the author, Kiser lends an air of authenticity to this moving memoir; however, frequent mispronunciations detract from the listening experience, and listeners may wish for the finesse of a professional narrator. A sprinkling of celebrity name-drops helps make this narrative both entertaining and enlightening.