Georgie loves throwing parties for his friends, but on this particular day his spontaneous plans fall apart. No one can come. Feta has to make pickles. Lester has lightbulbs to change. Shy Ferdinand would rather stay home. Every other friend also has a reason. Georgie, who starts the day full of optimism, is eventually drooping with dejection. Poor Georgie. The humor and heartbreak of this story extends to the visual. Georgie is a sweet-faced gray cat. His friends include a dog, a giraffe, a hippo, a mouse, and a star-nosed mole. All of the animals are wide-eyed and full of expression, from sheepish to sly to sad. The playful illustrations are a skillful blend of full-scene and spots incorporating speech bubbles, and include a double-page spread tracing Georgie’s journey through his city neighborhood before he arrives back home to … Surprise! “We love you, Georgie!” Friendship and kindness—and, ok, cake—are all any party really needs. (Ages 3–7)