Title: Let’s Work Smarter

Author: Katharine Mitropoulos

Genre: Children’s fiction

 

Let’s Work Smarter by Katharine Mitropoulos tells the story of a group of animals coming together to restore a playground. While they work hard to paint the fence, clean out the sandbox, and fix the swing set, they struggle to feel like they are accomplishing much. They take a break and brainstorm that it’s more important they work smarter instead of harder.

Let’s Work Smarter is a delightful book aimed at preschool-aged children. Mitropoulos uses easy-to-understand, simple, age-appropriate language to tell a story in just under a thousand words. Teachers, parents, and caregivers alike will enjoy reading this story to children because it tells an important and timeless lesson: it’s better to work smarter than harder. We’re raised to believe that working hard is a necessity in life and are often taught this from a young age, but working smarter is better than working harder when we stop and reflect. We can put in lots of effort, but if the results aren’t what we want or we feel like we aren’t getting anywhere, then it may be necessary to regroup and strategize differently. Mitropoulos is able to teach this lesson in a fun way that children will grasp and wish to hear in this story form again and again.

The message can be applied beyond the pages of the book or fixing a playground. Whether a school project or a work project when older, chores at any age, or no doubt career challenges, the concept of working smarter instead of harder will serve children well as they grow up and become adults who contribute to society.

In addition, Mitropoulous introduces the importance of taking a break when necessary. It may be subtly introduced, and even overlooked, within the confines of the story, but this crucial skill is one that many adults struggle with, often resulting in burnout on the job or in life.

Although this book is the second in a series, it can be read as a standalone perfectly fine. However, any adult reading this story to a young audience will likely wish to seek out the first book and will look forward to future stories. No doubt Mitropoulos has more stories to tell.

Let’s Work Smarter is beautifully illustrated. Finding a talented artist to bring a children’s story to life is a huge part of rendering the story itself. Every page is filled with loads of colors, friendly-looking animal characters, and whimsical designs. The illustrator brought the characters to life by giving them facial expressions and gestures. Children will enjoy seeing these fun pictures every time they hear the story. Between hearing and seeing, Let’s Work Smarter is a multi-sensory experience, bringing children into its pages.

The story could have been slightly longer, perhaps adding another page for each of the three groups of animals working at fixing up the playground. Of course, seeing as it’s a children’s book, it shouldn’t be too lengthy, but a few more details would only enrich an already solid, good story.

Let’s Work Smarter is a smart selection for parents, caregivers, and teachers to educate children on the value of teamwork, being creative, and making good choices. Among a plethora of children’s literature, when it can be overwhelming to pick a story that is both entertaining and educational, Let’s Work Smarter is a stellar choice. Young children will thoroughly enjoy Katharine Mitropoulos’s wonderful book and will be learning without even knowing it.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.