What is R.I.P Nanny Tobbins about?
Nine year old Albertine’s Nanny has died. Albertine knows she will miss her, not knowing that Nanny Tobbins has no plans on leaving her. Much to Albertine’s confusion, her beloved Nanny appears every midnight, insisting on continuing her lessons.
Along with a new stepmother who has no idea how to behave around children, Albertine isn’t sure what to do. Her father doesn’t believe her about a visiting ghost, believing all the trouble caused at night is Albertine’s way of misbehaving with all the changes in her life.
Albertine must figure out a way to convince Nanny Tobbins she is dead, before she gets into more serious trouble with her Pappa.
Plot summary of R.I.P Nanny Tobbins (No Spoilers)
When Albertine’s nanny has a fatal riding accident, Albertine is sad to have lost her. Nanny Tobbins was her constant companion, always guiding her on day to day manners, expectations, and teaching her about the world around her.
It’s not the only change, and despite her father telling her that his new wife is “…sweet like cake,” she is nothing like Albertine imagined. Her new stepmother takes up all the free time her father used to have for her, and when rarely together, hardly says a word to her step daughter.
Luckily, Albertine still has friends within the household. The cook (Cookie) and the chambermaid (Susan) are kind, and the paperboy is a special friend of a similar age.
Albertine suddenly feels quite alone, when her dead nanny begins to visit every night at midnight. She insists on Albertine getting up to do her lessons – whether it be in her room, or playing the piano which wakes up the whole household.
Albertine tries to explain to her Papa that Nanny Tobbins is back and she was just following her instructions, but although he is loving and understanding at all that has changed in his home of late – he refuses to believe in a ghost.
When a new governess is hired to try and curb Albertine’s strange behaviour, Nanny Tobbins continues to visit every night. It begins to take a toll on the house, but on Albertine especially. How is she going to prove to her father she is not being naughty, and all the trouble is coming from her dead Nanny?
Review
Set in Victoria London, I enjoyed this middle-grade novel. Albertine is an innocent, much-loved daughter and member of a wealthy household. She is well-liked among the staff, and she and her dog Quiver are delightful. The blurb for this book says it’s very funny – which is not how I found it at all.
It’s endearing, with a problem to solve, a young girl missing the close relationship she had with her father, and kind people around her trying to help.
The stepmother surprised me, and the main character’s solution did also. Readers 8+ will enjoy this. I’m definitely going to seek out the sequel.
Writing Style
38 Chapters beginning with a short chapter introducing main characters Albertine, her father and Nanny Tobbins. This scene at bedtime portrays the love and respect between the three, and the multi-lingual (English/German) component of the home.
FAQS
What age is it for?
Age – 8+
Where & When is it set?
London, England – 1851
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
Third person (Albertine’s POV) / Past tense
What genre is R.I.P Nanny Tobbins?
Historical Middle-Grade Fiction
Themes
Friendship / Historical/ Ghost / Family
Is it part of a series?
Yes
- R.I.P Nanny Tobbins
- Nanny Tobbins and the Midnight Plan
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Author
Lucie Stevens
Publisher
Harper Collins
(2026, Historical, Friendship, Ghost, Animals, Family, Love, 1851, London, England, Series, Victorian, Stepmother, Governess, Dog, Maids, Footman)