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.)