Help Wanted: One Rooster

by Julie Falatko, Andrea Stegmaier (Illustrator)

The search for the perfect rooster to save a struggling farm from chaos will leave readers howling—and trying out their very best cock-a-doodle-doo!

A farm.

Bucolic beauty, barns, and...sleepy animals everywhere?

This farm needs a rooster, and Cow is determined to find the perfect candidate.

One rooster, who wakes up first thing in the morning, with a resounding cock-a-doodle-do—is that too much to ask?

YES!

This tale of a frenzied farm and the beleaguered cow trying to keep it all together packs more than laughs. As each enthusiastic candidate learns: roostering isn’t what you are, but what you do. And there’s room for everyone.

As long as they wake up early—er, I mean brew strong coffee—or is it press the big button?—oh never mind. All are welcome!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 18, 2024

About the author

Julie Falatko is the award-winning author of picture books and novels, including Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book), the Two Dogs in a Trench Coat series, The Great Indoors, Yours in Books, and many more.

Originally from New Jersey, Julie now lives in Maine with her family.

Reviews

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s a busy farm to do when its rooster is more concerned with organizing a ‘rock moosic’ concert than he is with waking everyone up on time? Well, for starters, the cow (who is very organized and kind and even has a clipboard) conducts interviews for a new rooster. And thanks to one ‘extremely cool and helpful sheep’ who narrates wittily for us, we get to watch. Needless to say, the search doesn’t go as smoothly as the cow hopes, which means there’s plenty of opportunities for children (and adults) to giggle as the interviews go off the rails. One candidate (in an ‘inexplicable tuxedo’) wants to ring a bell instead of crowing. One thinks the barnyard will certainly wake up with the smell of coffee. One wants to push a button (that doesn’t exist). And one… well… you’ll just have to meet the Blob for yourself.

Julie Falatko’s text will expand children’s vocabulary with words like ‘professional’, ‘inexplicable’, ‘applicant’, ‘determined’, ‘chaos,’ ‘unpunctual,’ and many more while also keeping us entertained and amused with the sheep’s witty asides to readers, the outlandish candidates, and the cow’s reactions. Andrea Stegmaier’s illustrations perfectly complement (and add to) Julie Falatko’s text in ways that reminded me of Kevin Henkes’ books or one of my classic faves, Officer Buckle and Gloria. The text can be enjoyed without noticing the clever touches in the illustrations, but humorous details like watching the sheep add qualifiers to the ‘Help Wanted’ sign after each unqualified applicant made me enjoy it even more.

Bottom Line: Help Wanted: One Rooster treats children to a fun barnyard story with dry humor and special touches that adults will love too. It’s the kind of book that, as you spend time leafing through it, you’ll find new things to smile about, giggle at, and appreciate. I also appreciated the heartwarming message of recognizing our own strengths and weaknesses and working together with people who can do what we can’t (and vice versa). Because of the advanced vocabulary (which I think is so important for growing little minds), this would probably be best as a read-aloud together – at least the first dozen or so times – rather than leaving an early reader to tackle it on his/her own. The combination of Julie Falatko’s witty and smart text and Andrea Stegmaier’s clever and colorful illustrations is a delightful one and would make a great addition to any home or school library.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Emma]

this was very unserious

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that makes my kids laugh out loud gets 5 stars! 🌟 😁

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Sheep and Cow are very invested in their busy, hardworking farm, but latelyl things have not been optimal; their rooster has been sleeping in, so all of the other animals are not waking up on time and getting work done. Cow sets off to find a new rooster, and interviews some interesting candidates. There is a rooster who seems suitable, but who would rather ring a bell than cock-a-doodle-doo. A chicken applies and suggests that she will wake the farm with the smell of fresh brewed coffee. A small bird wants the job, mainly so he can push a button and wake everyone, but there is no button! Finally, an insensible blob applies, but since it can barely be understood, is glossed over. It turns out that the rooster has turned the farm into a successful rock moosic venue, and that's why he hasn't been getting up until 2 p.m. A compromise is finally made; the four applicants will be hired, but it is their job to rouse the rooster, assure his sunrise performance, and then let him get back to sleep!

I love Falatko's Two Dogs in a Trench Coat middle grade series, and have to say that I am not the most enormous fans of picture books. They're often just silly and twee, and when my own children were small, I was often guilty of rearranging the stories to make them more interesting to ME. Falatko does this for discerning adults who want to be able to chuckle at books that they have to read night after night, and I appreciate that. There are plenty of highfalutin' vocab words, too, which is excellent; my daughter was routinely using the word "ostensibly" by the time she was four!

Young readers will find plenty of out and out goofiness in the story, but it's also a good book to introduce conversations about applying for jobs! How could Cow have advertised the job more effectively? What qualifications would you want in a rooster? I loved how the help Wanted sign was updated every day a candidate was deemed unworthy!

The illustrations go well with the text, and have plenty of bright colors and exuberant details in the background. I love Cow's topknot, and in her overalls, she looks a little bit like my paternal grandmother! Stegmaier successfully anthropomorphizes the animals so that I really believed they could be running the farm. The rooster's denim jacket is inspired!

Even as the world gets further away from our agrarian past, books set on farms hold their appeal. While there are plenty of versions of The Little Red Hen or Old McDonald's Farm to fill the need for traditional information about farms, there need to be books for those of us who want a little snarky along with the traditional red barn. Herd Help Wanted: One Rooster into a pen with Donaldson's A Squash and a Squeeze, Cronin and Lewin's Click Clack Moo Cows That Type, Schertle and McElmurry's Little Blue Truck, or Shaw's Sheep in a Jeep series, which was always a massive hit in my house.

[Emily Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a problem, it is funny and easy to follow and a great read aloud, for adults. The adults in the room thought this book was hilarious, but the kids had no idea what this is about. They were confused and lost while the adults in my room were having a ball. I do not recommend this for storytime, it is very cute, but I think it would have performed better as a comic for adults. Children don't know how difficult it is to hire a qualified candidate. Honestly, a lot of adults don't have experience with that either.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The farm is not functioning as the rooster is sleeping late. Cow and Sheep work to solve this by interviewing for a new rooster. They discover how hard it is to replace him. Readers discover why he is too tired to wake at dawn and why the rest of the animals are sleeping late too. Fortunately, the other job applicants take care of waking him up every morning and the farm returns to normal. Humorous illustrations capture the fun in this story.

[Emily Haage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of this story were highly entertaining, but some of the humor will be beyond the preschool crowd. It also felt sort of disjointed, like maybe we the readers should have known sooner *why* or part of why Cow and Sheep are looking for a rooster. Something just felt off. Illustrations are cute, but nothing extraordinary.

[Kelly]

I love Julie Falatko, and she has done a lot of funny and wonderful books, but this was not one of them. It was a bit long, I don't know who would enjoy it, it wasn't as funny as maybe it was trying to be. The illustrations were decent though. I get the overall idea about the rooster, so the overarching idea is ok, but I just didn't think it was executed well.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The farm is about to go downhill because rooster is too busy pursuing the rock and roll lifestyle. Sheep and Cow interview possible replacements and finally come to a solution that works for all. A few zany things happen, ending is open; keep an eye out on the illustrations, lots of fun story details there, cover to cover. Add to farm storytimes when you want a change from Old MacDonald.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The barnyard is a mess because the rooster is not doing his job. Four applicants apply for the job, but cow quickly sends them on their way. They need a rooster who rises at dawn and can cock-a-doodle-doo. Not a button pusher, a coffee maker, bell ringer, or whispering blob.
Silly barn yard shenanigans.

[Stacy Atherton Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might give this book more stars...if I understood the ending. I'm confused! It might also be too wordy for toddlers, so I would read it aloud with preschoolers or kindergarteners. Maybe they would figure out the ending for us adults.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens to a farm when their rooster is too busy with his hobbies to do his job and wake everyone up? Well, they hire a replacement, of course. A fun storytime read. Not at all "Blad".

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very fun and cute. If you can do voices, it's probably even better. Would recommend for older picture book readers- or at least the ones with patience.

[sage (sageshelves) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need the sequel tbh

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the voice of this. I giggled. A lot.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storytime: Farm Animals

(I'm thinking of putting this one up for Beehive Consideration - depends on what else I decide to do.)

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of this book is hilarious as long as you don't take it too seriously.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely darling.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda wordy and a little sophisticated, but fun!

[Christine Barth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't find this to be particularly well written. The concept could have been really funny, but it didn't take off in our house

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing plotline here, unfortunately, despite the fun dialogue at some points.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have 7 roosters!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun and silly, young readers will have a lot to laugh out loud at.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

How could a story about one rooster be so confusing, the story is to focus on one needed rooster! Just, no, O did not care for this title, the illustrations were not even helpful or interesting.

[Haley Overstreet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending could have used a little work.

[Cheryl Gladfelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a silly, funny, weird little book.

[Carson Bellew · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I like it ! Is there a number 2?” - Carson 6

[Norshakila Makmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

my kids really enjoyed this book!

[Sahara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so funny I had to leave a review. And I never review my son’s books.

[Liliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBest for 3-4 year olds. Humor is such that parents would also get a kick.