The Simpsons opened season 38 on September 27 with “The Children’s Book Job.” Marge invites a British children’s author to Springfield Elementary’s book fair, hoping the visit will help the school. Homer is supposed to pick her up at the airport. Naturally, that simple job becomes the episode’s main problem.
What did viewers think?
In the first fan discussions, some viewers liked the school-book jokes and the different animation styles. Others thought the story started well but lost its way. One viewer on Reddit wanted Lisa to get a warmer moment near the ending.
“Strong start, decent premise, but goes off the rails real fast and never recovers.” — one viewer on Reddit
That viewer wanted a more emotional moment for Lisa near the ending. Another fan in the same discussion said they were simply glad to tune in for a new episode in the show’s 38th season. In a second thread, one viewer called Homer the episode’s standout, while another said the jokes worked all the way through.
The animation caught attention too. One viewer praised the episode’s art-style changes and a Diary of a Wimpy Kid reference. Another noticed that the title sounds like “The Book Job,” a season-23 episode, though a reply argued the resemblance may be only in the name. The comments show people picking up on different details rather than agreeing on one verdict.
Who is the guest star?
Emma Thompson voices the visiting British author. The book-fair setup gives Marge a reason to bring her to town and Homer a reason to end up in another messy chase. The FOX preview shows the author with Marge at the school, while the kids and parents gather for the event.
Where can fans watch it?
The premiere aired on FOX in the US on September 27. FOX’s network page lists The Simpsons through Hulu, which carries recent episodes; check the episode listing for the local release time. Older seasons are available through Disney+ in the US.
The premiere gives fans a fresh episode to argue about: Homer’s airport mix-up, Marge’s plan for the school, Emma Thompson’s author and the unusual animation. Some had fun with it; others wanted a better ending. The next episodes will give them more to talk about as season 38 continues.
