Review Detail

Busy Betty and the Circus Surprise

Kids Fiction 586

Who is surprised by the birthday party?

October 07, 2023 (Updated: June 06, 2026)

Overall rating

3.0

Plot

3.0

Characters

3.0

Writing Style

3.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

3.0

Busy Betty is back, and this time she has an enthusiastic plan! She tells her friends Mae and Jeffery that it's her mom's birthday, so she needs to throw her a surprise party. Of course, this needs to include all of her mother's favorite things, including purple, petunias, and her puppy, Frank. Betty's brother Bo tries to tamp down her enthusiasm, but Betty decides to have a CIRCUS. This, of course, takes a lot of effort and planning, but Betty jumps right in with make up, costumes, and a tent. WHen her parents come home, Betty is crushed to find out from Bo that her mother's birthday isn't until next month. Oh, no! Betty wails in devastation, but her mother tells her that a circus is perfect even though it's not her birthday, and they invite the whole neighborhood to celebrate.

Good Points

There is a lot of white space on the pages, and the word are in a san serif font, making it easier to read. Children will laugh at Betty's unbridled enthusiasm, which often seems to be misplaced. Poor Frank is NOT enjoying being a lion, although her friends are good sports and go along with her.

I was a bit bothered by the fact that Betty seems to be wearing her glasses upside down, and some of the illustrations make her seem a bit overly enthusiastic, but young readers will just think this is funny.

Read this while decorating and mixing up and frosting a birthday cake along with Sauer's I Love Cake, Pham's A Piece of Cake, Huget's The Best Birthday Party Ever, and Ode's Bigfoot Does Not Like Birthday Parties. Just make sure that it actually IS the birthday of the person for whom you are planning the party!