Saranya Patel, Age almost 11

In general, most people find that the show and the graphic novels of the Baby-Sitters Club are practically the same. There are some small differences from the graphic novels and the show that really set the two apart but still keeps the show and the graphic novel in the same ballpark.

     Let’s first start off with the creators. Both the show and the graphic novels have the same original creator, Ann M. Martin. However, over the years there have been different versions of the classic chapter books. For example, the graphic novels are made by a few different authors and cartoonists including Raina Telgemeier and Gale Galligan but have the same storyline of the original Baby-Sitters Club books. The Netflix Show, The Baby-Sitters Club, is also based on the original books but was created by Rachel Shukert. 

    One big difference that really sticks out to me is the show is very inclusive. 

In the whole original series, there are only two characters that are non-Caucasian(only one main character) and keep in mind, there are 131 original books! The eight graphic novels are not that diverse either and also only have a couple of non-Caucasian characters. The show, on the other hand, is VERY diverse. Also, there is an episode about a transgender girl named Bailey. Additionally,  one of the main character’s dad is gay. I will say that there is a good mix of races in the show.

     One of the similarities between the show and the books is that they are both easy to relate to. For example, some people might relate to Stacey (one of the main characters gets cyberbullied  because she has type one diabetes.)Kirsty’s parents go through a hard divorce. Claudia’s grandma has a stroke on the left side of her brain and can’t fully talk for several days. They also talked about the Manzanar Japanese internment camp from World War 2. 

     The graphic novels and the show are amazing in their own ways. There are clear similarities and clear differences. Both the show and the graphic novels have great life lessons and amazing comedy that I am sure any teenager(or adult) would love.