Primary Genre(s): Children’s Fiction, Picture Book
Published: 2 March 2020 by Capstone Editions
Page count: 384 (print)
My Format: ebook via NetGalley
Cover: Adorable
Pacing: Perfect
Ending: Sweet
Do I Recommend: Yes
Commission Link (U.S.): Buy Help Wanted, Must Love Books
My rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis
Shailey loves bedtime, especially reading with her dad. But her dad starts a new job, and it gets in the way of their bedtime routine. So Shailey takes action! She fires her dad, posts a Help Wanted sign, and starts interviews immediately. She is thrilled when her favorite characters from fairytales line up to apply. But Sleeping Beauty can’t stay awake, the Gingerbread Man steals her book, and Snow White brings along her whole team. Shailey is running out of options. Is bedtime ruined forever?
My Thoughts
Here are my pros and cons for Help Wanted, Must Love Books:
Pros
- This book is so cute! I loved the appearance of various fairy tale characters throughout the story.
- I also loved how Shailey’s Help Wanted sign kept getting amended. Initially, she just wanted someone who loved books. But as applicants showed up to be her new bedtime story reader in lieu of her dad, she realized she needed to be more specific on her Help Wanted sign. First, she required human applicants only (sorry Gingerbread man!), then she required working past 8 p.m. (sorry Sleeping Beauty!), and so on!
- What is most interesting to me is that the story doesn’t tell you who the applicants are by name. You see them on the pages, and you see what they do during the interview, but the reader must guess who they are. It adds a fun dimension to the book that kids will enjoy.
- The applicants’ resumes are included at the end of the book. Don’t skip them because they are hilarious.
- The illustrations by Courtney Dawson are silly and fun!
- This book encourages problem solving and creative solutions. It also promotes adapting to changing conditions and situations.
- I absolutely adored that this book was a positive depiction of a father/daughter relationship.
Cons
None.
Summary
Who did Shailey hire to be her bedtime story reader in the end? You will have to read the book to find out! Trust me, it is worth it. This book will easily become a favorite bedtime story in your house.
This picture book is written for reading ages 4 to 7 years old and is 32 pages long.
Thank you NetGalley and Capstone Editions for a free eARC of this book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
If you would like to read this book and form your own opinion, please consider purchasing through this link: Buy Help Wanted, Must Love Books. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
Click here for a description of my rating scale.
(image from Goodreads)
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