“The Simpsons” will return for Season 38 with an episode featuring Emma Thompson as a children’s author and Colin Jost as himself. The premiere centres on Homer trying to escort Thompson’s unruly character to a school book fair, while parodying classic children’s books and exploring Homer’s efforts to become a more attentive parent.

Executive producer Matt Selman describes the episode as a tribute to children’s literature, with references including “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, Richard Scarry and “Captain Underpants”. Later episodes will feature Bart and Lisa caring for a baby chimp, an abandoned immersive theme park and neurodiversity; the Halloween special will combine “The Simpsons” with “The Nightmare Before Christmas”.