Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--There are picture books that exist simply to entertain children, and there are those that exist to melt the hearts of adults reading them. Much Too Busy does both beautifully. Immediately, it thrusts readers into a bright, expressive world full of tall buildings and bustling streets that seem crafted from translucent tissue paper cut-outs in jewel tones. Any kid would go gaga over the quirky bystanders and their wacky background shenanigans. It's made better when the deliciously grumpy protagonist Pigeon shows up, who is so busy he gets lost. Enter Mouse, in a bucolic landscape dripping with details in each leaf and tree. Here's where Mouse's homespun wisdom teaches Pigeon (and adults reading the book) how to slow down and enjoy the view. Countryside illustrations become a treasure trove for imagination--what does that tree, that clump of flowers, that cloud look like? Eventually, our feathered friend with the furrowed brow relaxes into the beauty all around. Bouncy lettering and brisk text keep this moving along without getting didactic. VERDICT This is a charming read for preschooler story hours, for classroom lessons on mindfulness, for encouraging almost anyone to revel in natural curiosity; an incessant push of toward an agenda isn't actually always important in the long run.--Cat McCarrey
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Review by Horn Book Review
A self-important pigeon (no, not that self-important pigeon) strides through the city in a terrible rush, briefcase under wing, tiny bowler hat on head. In his hurry, he loses his bearings and ends up lost in the countryside. There he meets a contemplative, "definitely not busy" mouse who offers to be his guide, and the two set off looking for town. Along the way, Mouse makes fanciful observations ("Pigeon, this leaf looks just like your foot," "That cloud looks just like a dog"), which are repeatedly rebuffed by the single-minded bird. Then night falls, and Mouse, finally brought down by his companion's apathy, admits defeat: "You're right, Pigeon...This is hopeless. I should have been looking where we were going and not at all those silly things around me. Now we're both lost." Mouse's uncharacteristic display of dejection snaps Pigeon out of his own funk and into the present moment. He notices where he is and who he's with: a new friend who needs comforting. Bond's comical, textured illustrations feature a scowling, blue-feathered grump and a wide-eyed, expressive-eared, Frederick-esque optimist. The colorful details are eye-catching and fanciful; it's easy to see why Mouse gets distracted -- and why Pigeon sees the light. Elissa GershowitzJanuary/February 2024 p.72 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Don't let the pigeon miss the forest for the trees. Like a feathered White Rabbit from Wonderland, Pigeon is an animal with places to go and people to see. Living in a crowded city, he's always on the move. So much so that, without even realizing it, he ends up in the country, far from his intended destination. He quickly enlists the help of a kind mouse who, until now, was enjoying staring into space with a cup of coffee in hand. Mouse is happy to lead the way but is inclined to stop and look at leaves, feathers, and cloud formations. It's only when Mouse realizes that they're even more lost than before that Pigeon takes it upon himself to open his eyes and cheer Mouse up with a little nature appreciation of his own. Vibrant art and hilarious body language keep eyes moving across every eclectic page. Meanwhile, elegant, even innovative, page designs parcel the action out in the same way that panels would in a comic. Don't be surprised, though, if the lesson to be imparted in this tale is aimed less at kids than at their time-constrained caregivers. Slow and steady won't win any races in this sweet story, but it will help you value the walk along the way. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
