Im Very Busy, Oliver Jeffers
Im Very Busy, Oliver Jeffers
List: $5.00 | Sale: $3.50
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I'm Very Busy
A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book

Author: Oliver Jeffers

Narrator: Jessie Buckley

Unabridged: 4 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/07/2025

Synopsis

A poignant—and laugh-out-loud funny—story about our busy lives and how we can fix our mistakes to show our friends how much we care by world-renowned artist and picture book creator Oliver Jeffers.

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?

In a story that shows how friends are more important than the busy-ness of a day, Oliver Jeffers’ bold and brilliant art pair with a powerful story that makes readers realize what truly matters. Another masterpiece from the internationally bestselling picture book creator of Here We Are and Begin Again.

About The Author

Oliver Jeffers is a visual artist and author working in painting, bookmaking, illustration, collage, performance and sculpture. His engagements and practice are truly international in scope. His critically acclaimed picture books have been the recipients of numerous awards, including a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award, TIME Best Book of the Year, Bologna Ragazzi Award, an Irish Book Award, a United Kingdom Literary Association Award, and two Emmy Awards for the Apple TV adaptation of Here We Are: Notes For Living on Planet Earth. He has exhibited at institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum in New York, the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Jeffers' work is currently featured in the new long-term exhibition “Building Stories” at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC. He also recently received a Member of the Order of the British Empire Award (MBE) for his Services in Art.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Rubani on December 30, 2025

Sweet little story about simply being there for your friends- especially for the important moments. I’m also just obsessed with the illustrations and quick/ witty lines. I know this is for kids but there is definitely a different level of appreciate for these details as an adult- and I am a fan 😁.......more

Goodreads review by Veronica ⭐️ on December 11, 2025

Today is Bridget's birthday. The perfect day to spend with friends. One by one Bridget asks her friends if they have plans for later in the day. Each of them announce they have lots to do and are very busy. I'm Very Busy is a welcome reminder to children, and their carers, that in today's busy world......more

Goodreads review by Lucy on January 26, 2026

A heartfelt message about even when you are busy, you will still show up for your loved ones when it counts the most. In true Oliver Jeffers style he has injected clever humour with his illustrations and text, allowing for the moral of the story to come through in a light hearted manner. Whilst I’m......more

Goodreads review by Mehsi on February 16, 2026

+ Love the illustrations (as expected as it is Oliver Jeffers). + Love how her friends (boys) had names with R's and friends (girls) had P's. + Love the cover it is so fun. + Fun MC, though I wanted to hug her and give her all the cake, how dare her friends just have other plans on her birthday. + I th......more

Goodreads review by Karrie on November 20, 2025

Cute, but I wouldn’t call a child feeling forgotten as laugh out loud.......more

Quotes

Praise for I'm Very Busy:

"Quirky illustrations, droll humor, and an amusing twist elevate this concisely told tale... Cleverly avoiding the predictable, this jaunty tale nonetheless offers a happy ending and celebrates the joys of friendship." —Kirkus Reviews

“Modeling kind actions in lieu of an extended apology session, Jeffers (Begin Again) shows how sometimes making things right speaks louder than words.” —Publishers Weekly


“Quietly quirky, this readaloud is sure to spark conversations about feelings, friendship, and last-minute celebrations.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books


“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.” —School Library Journal

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