Shailey and her dad love spending time together reading before her bedtime. But when her dad gets a new job, he is no longer able to give her the same amount of time and attention as before. Shailey fires him and immediately begins searching for his replacement. The applicants arrive from all over her bookshelves, but none of them seem to exemplify the ideal candidate- Snow White shows up to the interview with the Seven Dwarves, Captain Hook lacks proper hygiene, and Cinderella gets soot all over Shailey's favorite books! But when the last applicant shows up, Shailey has a good feeling about this one.

Themes: family relationships, remaining present with your children through story time and reading together.

I loved the portrayal of Shailey finding solace and looking for help within her books. This will be an enjoyable book for parents to read with their children not only because of its simple humor, but the illustrations are complementary for the sweetness of the story.

This is one of the cutest children's books I have read in a long time. It tackles an issue that all children and parents face today: parents who are busy and distracted at bedtime. This precious little girl fires her dad from reading duty and goes about interviewing new candidates. I loved that the candidates were beloved fairytale characters.

This story shows a lovely resolution to the conflict faced between parent and child. My daughter and I will be reading this over and over!


The publisher provided an ARC through Netgalley. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts

This was so cute! I loved how the applicants for the job that Shailey posted were various story characters from many children's books. I also loved the inclusion of the character resumes at the end. This is a perfect book to introduce children to the love of books, and how books can connect them with the people that they love.

Shailey's search for a bedtime story reader starts off when her dad is too tired to read to her. Well known fairy tale characters apply for the job while Shailey narrows down the search and finally finds someone perfect. Who is it? Strong, diverse characters and dad as the caregiver are welcomed into the picture book world. With colorful, fun illustrations, this book will delight the well-read bedtime listener and would be a fun addition to any library.

This story is about a little girl who loves reading time with her father. However, her father is busy working and has less time to spend with her. Frustrated, she decides to fire her dad as book-reader and hire a new one! She interviews many popular fairytale characters, princesses and monsters alike, but each interview goes hilariously wrong. Will she ever find someone to read her a bedtime story?

I loved the art and I love that we are seeing books representing diversity more and more these days.

This book serves not only as a good wake-up call to busy parents about spending time with their children, but also as a story about forgiveness, love, problem-solving, and a shared joy of reading.

Help Wanted, Must Love Books is an absolutely cute, little picture book that will make your heart sing!

If it's not obvious, I love reading! So, when a book like this comes around I get super excited. What is more exciting than a book about loving books?! This sort of book (wow, I'm saying book a lot) would have been one of my favourites as a child. If only there had been a few more of these gems around when I was little!

Shailey is a little girl who loves to read. Her Dad and her read together, but one day he gets a job that makes him too tired to read to her (which is quite frustrating for our little friend). Once she has enough, she fires her Father as her reading buddy and puts out a job posting for a new one! So many people and animals show up for the job, and thus the hunt began! Help was wanted and they must love books (doesn't the title work so well here?).

My positive notes:

1. I absolutely love the cover. The colours are fantastic, the cartoon-y vibe is delightful and I love the detail (butterflies, books, bears... so many b's!). It grabs your attention but doesn't divert you from the story.

2. Shailey is relatable - at least to me! I could see many kids relating and enjoying seeing someone who acts (or looks!) like them. To top it off, the storyline she follows is also relatable (a parent who's new job makes them too busy... yep, check out those relatable boxes!).

3. I like that this story took a creative leap with the different characters who show up for the job interview. I wasn't expecting this book to be super serious, so seeing the array of characters had me chuckling. This would be a great way to get kids talking about prior fairy tales they read! On this note, parents and some older kids may appreciate it more than little kids. Some of our younger reader friends might not be able to remember all of the fun fairy tales they've seen before.

4. The ending was super sweet! Devices OFF during family time, folks!

I can honestly say I don't have any negatives for this book. I think this is a very sweet and very creative book. I would love to see more books like this floating around.

Five out of five stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for providing me with a free copy of this book.

When Shailey's dad gets a new job, he no longer has the time (or energy) to read to her. Shailey fires him and interviews fairy tale characters for the job.

I liked the premise of the book and the illustrations, but I think the book uses too many adult concepts. Kids will understand Shailey firing her dad, but will they really understand words like applicants, hygiene, and personal statement? If it was being read to them, the adult could explain, but is it really necessary to use these terms when easier, non-HR vocabulary would work just as well?

With a few edits, this could be a really cute story.

This book is going directly into the purchasing request system. An adorable story shows the trials and tribulations of getting a good reader for bedtime stories. A staffing issue that faces many young book-lovers I am sure. Each applicant references other favorite children’s tales and they soon show that the best candidate for the job can be hard to find. The story is equally funny, charming and well-paced. The illustrations are just darling, with a pleasing color palette and style. I would 100% recommend this book for our young patrons, and to their bedtime readers as well.

This was a treat to read. Drawings are lovely, literary interface with long-loved children's story characters and the cautionary tale of the importance of parents' and children's precious time together make this a story to be read over and over. I'll be buying several for grands.

This was a super cute story about a young girl searching for a replacement story teller for her dad who got a new job. I loved how this book included different fairy tale creatures who applied for the job. I had a huge smile on my face as I was reading this book, it made me feel all warm and nostalgic of my own childhood bedtime readings. The illustrations added so much more depth to the story. The illustrations caught my attention and added to the story – you can tell what is occurring by looking at the pictures.

Although I enjoyed the illustrations and clever story concept, some of the actions, reasonings, and words of the young girl seemed harsh. If readers do not take it as rude and maybe just precocious, they may enjoy this title.

This is a lovely picture book that is perfect for a read-aloud. The storyline will resonate with many young children and their parents. The diverse main character, Shailey and her dad have a wonderful story time routine that goes awry when dad starts a new job. The hilarious attempts by Shailey to find a replacement for her beloved dad are contained in the rest of the story. A wonderful book that will be a great gift for new parents and others beginning their bedtime routines at home. Loved it!
I was provided this e-arc for an honest review.

Shailey is a little girl who loves bedtime, and the stories she shares with her father... until he gets a new job. Then she interviews other people (and animals... and objects) for the position of storyteller each night. Even with each whimsical character, she still can't find anyone to read to her the way her father can. Finally one night she decides to hire him back, but only under certain conditions.

This was a cute book that reminds us to unplug and spend time with our loved ones. The fun elements of all the fairy tale characters was a nice touch, that made way for giggles. We really liked this book and would recommend! 4*

*I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. My first thoughts "We have to get this book", this was absolutely adorable. I love that it focuses on a Father reading to his daughter, it reminds me of my father and I. It's beautifully illustrated, and the resumes at the end was the perfect touch. Amazing Job, I can't wait for this to hit our shelves.

Shailey loves bedtime stories, so what is she to do when he dad becomes too busy with his new job? Hire a replacement of course! Unfortunately, her applicants are a series of fairy tale characters who don't quite fit the role. This book is a promising premise, and the artwork is adorable. However, the story fell flat for me. I wish I liked this more as it's a cute concept and the art is great, but this was just ok.

This was adorable and I loved the tie-in with all the famous children's story. also diversity in picture books makes me so happy. Will definitely be buying this for my friends with kids and recommending as well.

I absolutely love the concept of this idea. I think it helps encourage children that that storytime should be fun with stories and spending time with family. I love that the author includes so many different fairytale characters into her story to be applicants for her storyteller I also really love the resumes added to the very end of different characters such as Pinocchio and Tinkerbelle.

SUCH a cute book! I think kiddos will love seeing characters they know and love from familiar stories apply to be the new bedtime book reader!

The illustrations in this book remind me of Hair Love and Not Quite Snow White. I love them. And the way that all of the applicants are characters! This is one of those picture books that the reading adult can enjoy as much as the read to child.

I am beyond excited to receive an ARC of this amazing story from #netgalley . The first time I saw a picture of this cover I was immediately drawn in and wanted to read it! Everything about the front cover and title is adorable and I love that it includes diverse characters! This is a book my class will love and I will definitely purchase a hard copy once it comes out.

I started reading it and was hooked! Shailey loves reading with her dad every night, but then he gets a new job and she decides to interview fairy tale characters to take his place! I laughed as she added on requirements to her help wanted sign. She learns that it might not be easy to replace him. This is a book that kids and adults will definitely enjoy!