I'm very busy A (nearly forgotten) birthday book

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.)

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.(Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.