  | I'm Very Busy: A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book Author: Jeffers, Oliver | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
It’s Bridget’s birthday, and she thinks it would be fun to spend the day with friends. But Royal has places to go, Rodney has to see a man about a dog, Regis has to wash his hair, and Pearl has a list of items she needs to cross off as quickly as she can. Bridget’s friends are all too busy to hang out! Will Bridget have to spend her birthday all alone?
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (07/01/25)
School Library Journal (08/08/25)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/09/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 06/30/2025 In this tale of friendship and second chances, young, teal-hued Bridget is eager to spend "a lovely day" with friends. But she finds that all of them-gouache and colored pencil illustrations portray a minimally detailed group rendered in tones ranging from lime green to orange-are "very busy." Rodney has to "see a man about a dog," Penelope is midway through digging an enormous hole, and Pearl is methodically making (and crossing things off) a to-do list. But Bridget isn’t seeking an ordinary playdate. It’s her birthday, and after Pearl overhears Bridget’s quiet lament about celebrating solo, her friends’ collective forgetfulness becomes clear-though none admits it to the others ("Erm... of course I remembered! I was... um... just going to get her a card," Rodney fibs). With no grown-ups in sight, the kids consider the obligations of friendship and the sting of thoughtlessness on their own, and quickly assemble to give Bridget a celebratory day. Modeling kind actions in lieu of an extended apology session, Jeffers (Begin Again) shows how sometimes making things right speaks louder than words. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) - Copyright 2025
School Library Journal - 08/08/2025 K-Gr 2-Bridget does not want to spend her birthday alone, especially when it comes time to blow out her birthday candles. But as she visits five different friends to ask them what they are doing later that day, they all tell her they have plans. Jeffers's funny dialogue and artwork, rendered in soft tints of gouache paints and colored pencils, include reasons that may be familiar to readers, such as washing hair or meeting someone, but also the silly and unexpected, like digging a hole or crossing off items from a list. The invisible dog that makes a few appearances in the book will be appealing to readers. Artwork includes memorable characters who are shades of purple, pink, blue, and orange, as well as all the lovely things found at birthday parties, such as cake, presents, and cards. Although the birthday comes together in a hurried way, each friend brings an item to the party to celebrate. VERDICT This is a story that reassures readers we all forget things at times, but when people work together, the day can end on a positive note and be memorable.—Tanya Boudreau - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
