The Too Busy Day

Susan Anderson was a librarian with the Calgary Public Library.

All children know what it means when the big people in their lives are “too busy” to play, or to go for a walk, or just to be attentive. Allyson, the toddler in this story, finds that everyone is too busy for her — Mummy; the neighbour mowing his lawn; the birds, bumble bees and squirrels in the back yard; and Vilma, the teenager from next door. Allyson calls to them from her second-floor balcony and she becomes utterly crestfallen when she is ignored. None of Mummy’s attempts to console her succeed. Finally, Daddy comes home and the family has a surprise picnic supper on the second-floor fire escape. Not only does everything taste better on the fire escape, but Allyson’s environment now begins to respond to her. Mr. O’Connell, having finished his lawn, calls “hi” and waves, the bees hover close, the birds and squirrels flock to eat the crumbs thrown by Daddy, and Vilma waves at Allyson. Even a benevolent sun shines down on the family, making all feel warm, sleepy, and happy.

Although the story line is not at all intricate, it has immediate appeal. Allyson’s delight in the outside world as she first peeks through the rails, her supreme disappointment, and finally her joy at having so much attention paid to her, combine to create a theme to which every pre-schooler can relate. Leonard Aguanno’s evocative illustrations, full-color, and placed on pages opposite the text, can stand on their own. A partial border of small acorns creates continuity from page to page and adds to the outdoorsy theme.

This gentle story, first in a new series, would be a worthwhile addition to the picture book section.