“Unlike most kids, Shailey loved bedtime. She’d shimmy into her pj’s, brush her sparkling smile, then raid the bookshelf for the perfect bedtime stories.”
Shailey’s favorite time of day has always been bedtime. She puts on her pajamas, grabs her trusty teddy bear, and, most importantly, enjoys a bedtime story with her dad. Her nighttime routine is perfect until her dad gets a new job. Suddenly, he’s too busy when bedtime rolls around. Finally, Shailey reaches her limit, creating a help-wanted poster for a new bedtime storyteller who must love books and attend open interviews that night. Many familiar bedtime story characters apply for the position, each with their own unique challenges. Shailey is forced to revise the necessary qualifications for the job and begins to lose hope that bedtime will ever be the same. That is until a familiar Robin Hood arrives. His voice is just right, and he smells like strawberries and chocolate chip cookies. After she learns his true identity, Shailey offers him the position under one condition.

I was absolutely delighted by the enchanting storyline of Help Wanted, Must Love Books. My favorite thing about this picture book was how much Shailey reminded me of myself. I admire the proactive approach she takes to find a new bedtime storyteller. Instead of whining about her situation, Shailey takes matters into her own hands and is confident in herself to find a suitable replacement. This is a powerful message that empowers children to think critically and problem-solve to find solutions to their own issues. I was blown away by common bedtime story characters applying for the position. This was such a fun twist that kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t wait to turn the page to see who the next applicant would be! Similarly, I think other readers will enjoy identifying the interviewees and brainstorming what difficulties they would have in taking the job. I also appreciated the message at the end that highlights the importance of prioritizing small, precious moments between parents and children, such as bedtime stories. Pick up a copy of Help Wanted, Must Love Books to see a bold and innovative little girl work to solve her problems and visit with fairytale characters along the way.

This little book is adorable. Just the sweetest. The main character is auditioning new reading partners and it's a really cute little story as she finds the perfect reading partner. I loved this, and so did my niece.

What an amazing children's book. Both my children and my niece and nephew LOVED this book.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Help Wanted: Must Love Books is an adorable picture book by author Janet Summer Johnson and artist Courtney Dawson. This book follows Shailey, who loves to read bedtime stories with her dad. However, her dad has started a new job that keeps interrupting Shailey's bedtime routine. Shailey fires her dad and starts the search for a new bedtime story reader. A wide range of classic storybook characters try out being Shailey's reader, but nothing is working. Hopefully Shailey will be able to find a new reader so she can still get her bedtime stories!

I thought this book was wonderful. The illustrations are bright and colorful and I love how the author includes a variety of characters from popular stories like Cinderella and the Gingerbread Man. I could see myself incorporating this book into a future lesson, potentially with Kindergarten or First Grade students. This would be a great book to talk about what fluent reading looks like and open up discussions about how the different characters aren't very fluent readers (especially Sleeping Beauty, who falls asleep mid-story!)

Overall, I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. The illustrations are excellent and I love the heartfelt ending. I will definitely be purchasing this book for my school's library and recommending it to students.

A delightful and whimsical story about the power of story time and family. Janet Sumner Johnson weaves a delightful tale in which all your favourite fairy tale characters apply to be the story time reader. Wonderful!

This is one of my favorite picture books. I love the concept of the child searching for a new bedtime reader and the applicants that come to interview all have the same problems that they have in their own fairytales while trying to land the job. A funny and wonderful book for all ages.

This is a very cute story. Of course i love books so i have a weakspot for books about books. You can’t start a book better than firing a dad. Loved it!

Super cute! I know a little one and mama that would adore this. I plan to buy it for a birthday gift. Highly recommended.

Here are my pros and cons for Help Wanted, Must Love Books:

Pros
1. This book is so cute! I loved the appearance of various fairy tale characters throughout the story.
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. The applicants’ resumes are included at the end of the book. Don’t skip them because they are hilarious.
5. The illustrations by Courtney Dawson are silly and fun!
6. This book encourages problem solving and creative solutions. It also promotes adapting to changing conditions and situations.
7. 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.

Thank you NetGalley and Capstone Editions for a free eARC of this book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This is a fun one to tie into fairy tale units. A great book to read to review fairy tales and get kids talking about what they are reading.

I loved the story it is so cute. The illustrations and cover is beautiful. Shailey loves her bedtime, as her dad tells her stories. When her dad gets bust with a new job, Shailey is looking for another person to fill the position I loved that fairytale characters came to apply for the job.

This was a very funny book that children will enjoy! Shailey's dad gets a new job and doesn't have time to read to her at night so she interviews others to find just the right person for the job. The author does a great job weaving in fairy tale characters. In the end, Shailey finds the right person for the job! This was a fun and engaging book.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so adorable. I loved the illustrations and the story. I love that the dad was the one reading bedtime stories. Well done.

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This is a cute book that educators can use alongside a lesson for character traits. This book will remind readers about making time for family and the resumes at the back of the book are super creative.

This was such a sweet story. I love how it showcased a reader and incorporated so many other books into it. Representation MATTERS. I will be sharing with the young people in my life for sure.

I absolutely adored this children's book! I love books about books, so my level of enjoyment was no surprise! Loved the animations and the diversity this book represented. Highly recommend!

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

This was a cute illustrated story about a girl named Shailey who loves getting bedtime stories read to her by her father. When he get s super busy with his new job, Shailey takes it upon herself to place an ad for a new storyteller. She receives responses from many fairytale characters. This was a cute and silly story.

“Help Wanted, Must Love Books” was a cute, fun story! Look at that cover! I love it so much! Beyond the cover, the actual story is simply cute and funny. Has it been done before? Yes, but I do think the author added their own special touch to it. If I had to say anything ‘negative’ about the book, some of the illustrations were lacking just a smidge. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Such a sweet story about a little girl who interviews for someone to read her bedtime stories because her dad got a new job and can not. The pictures are drawn beautifully and I loved the fact the main character is non white. Must read for pre school kids, story time and bed time.