Sprout Helps Out

Welcome to a day in the life of young Sprout. Sprout has a big job: being big sister; caring for a cat, dog, and goldfish; dusting; vacuuming; and feeding everyone snacks. Her not-often-pictured artist mom seems content to have the “help”. Sure, Sprout may brush the dog’s teeth with your toothbrush or get very dirty playing outside in the mud or flood the kitchen in her attempt to wash dishes; she’s helping out in her own lovable, sometimes chaotic way.

Rosie Winstead’s illustrations are the root of the story with comical, possibly familiar scenes from a reader’s own household. Most spreads are greatly detailed, giving readers an authentic experience of Sprout’s day and her family life. Aside from a few mishaps, nothing dramatic happens in this story. This will likely work well with younger readers especially given the realistic, expressive drawings that bring the story to life and make Sprout’s house look like just about any home. Told with thorough and consistent illustrations, in what looks like a mix of collage and pencil and watercolor, Sprout Helps Out reminds weary caregivers that though the little one often creates more mess than she cleans, she’s only trying to help.