I'M VERY BUSY

The story of a birthday party that almost didn’t happen.

Bridget invites her friends to celebrate with her, but everyone is busy. Hilariously adult phrases roll off the other kids’ tongues. Rodney has to “see a man about a dog,” Penelope is “up to her eyes,” and Regis is “washing his hair.” Young listeners might miss some of the text’s dry humor, but they’ll definitely get the visual jokes. Rodney’s dog is nonexistent (or perhaps invisible). Penelope is literally up to her eyes in a very large hole, and Regis is bald. Adults will appreciate the absurdity of the excuses (and may even squirm in recognition). Disappointed, Bridget heads home to celebrate with a motley crew of stuffed animals and other toys, most of whom appear as disconsolate as she is. Although her friends have, in fact, completely forgotten her birthday, all is not lost as they scramble to provide all the elements of a terrific party. Quirky illustrations, droll humor, and an amusing twist elevate this concisely told tale. Bridget and her friends each appear in a different, fantastical hue, including teal, pink, blue, lavender, green, and orange. Simply drawn faces convey a wealth of emotions. Sporting distinctive articles of clothing, each character sprouts exaggeratedly skinny arms and legs. Backgrounds are minimal, with a few key details standing out against the abundant white space.

Cleverly avoiding the predictable, this jaunty tale nonetheless offers a happy ending and celebrates the joys of friendship.