What do you think?
Mr. Men #38
Mr. Busy
When Mr. Busy whips up a picnic for Mr. Slow and himself, it's a recipe for disaster!
32 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 1978
About the author
Roger Hargreaves
1,363 books383 followersRoger Hargreaves was a British cartoonist, illustrator and writer of children's books. He created the Mr. Men series, Little Miss series and Timbuctoo series, intended for young readers. The simple and humorous stories, with bold, brightly coloured illustrations, have sales of more than 85 million copies worldwide in 20 languages.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 28, 2019
Mr. Busy is just that, he sure is busy. He is also really fast at doing things. He zips here and zips there and gets so much done that he has to bother his neighbor Mr. Slow. Have you had that friend that comes over and rushes you and expects you to do things just because they said to. Well, Mr. Slow is not interested in a Picnic with Mr. Busy and being rushed. Mr. Slow comes into Mr. Busy’s house and forces him to do what he wants and Mr. Slow is unhappy about it. This is out story.
I did like the end when Mr. slow is hiding from Mr. Busy under his bed to avoid a picnic. HA.
The nephew had fun reading this story. He is not in the mood for Mr. Men usually now, but once he starts reading them, he gets into the spirit of them and enjoys them. He’s growing up, but I hope to finish this main series before he stops completely. He gave the book 3 stars and he thought Mr. Slow was funny.
I did like the end when Mr. slow is hiding from Mr. Busy under his bed to avoid a picnic. HA.
The nephew had fun reading this story. He is not in the mood for Mr. Men usually now, but once he starts reading them, he gets into the spirit of them and enjoys them. He’s growing up, but I hope to finish this main series before he stops completely. He gave the book 3 stars and he thought Mr. Slow was funny.
February 20, 2022
It's always cool when more than one Mr. Men meet up, in this instance we're introduced to two!
Both Mr. Busy and Mr. Slow (who will have his own book next in the series) are neighbours and are exact opposites.
I'm more of the mindset like Mr. Busy of getting up early and cracking on, but poor Mr. Slow is having none of it when his pushy neighbour insists that he gets up early so they can go for a picnic.
Delightfully fun addition to the series.
Both Mr. Busy and Mr. Slow (who will have his own book next in the series) are neighbours and are exact opposites.
I'm more of the mindset like Mr. Busy of getting up early and cracking on, but poor Mr. Slow is having none of it when his pushy neighbour insists that he gets up early so they can go for a picnic.
Delightfully fun addition to the series.
March 16, 2017
Sometimes it's just best to relax
16 March 2017
Well, this is a rather interesting Mr Men book because it pits two opposites up against each other: Mr Busy, who happens to be really, really fast and Mr Slow who, you guessed it, happens to be incredibly slow. Well, the book is focused on Mr Busy, but Mr Slow is also a major character in the book and it sort of goes to show how two opposites don't really need to be forced to do what the other wants to do. It seems as if they are both friends, but the problem is because Mr Busy is so fast Mr Slow just doesn't have enough time to catch up, in the end he looks for ways to get away from Mr Busy.
I guess the thing that I picked up with this book is that people aren't always the same, but also if we live life too fast we might end up missing a lot of it. Okay, that may not be the case because I am actually a lot like Mr Busy, I live life fast because there is so much to do, and no time to do it all in, that I want to cram as much of it in as possible. Actually, the invention of the digital camera and the smart phone is an absolute boon because I can rush through art galleries, take photos, and then when I wind down can actually appreciate the images I took. Okay, I do have to becareful because if I go too fast I end up taking photos that are basically crap, but fortunately quite a few of the museums around the world have digitised their art so if my photo is crap then I have a back up.
Like this Monet:
Anyway, this isn't a book about living life fast but rather a book about how many of us are actually quite different, which is something that I have only recently discovered. While I like to try and see as much as possible, and will rush through a museum exhibit taking a multitude of photos, the person that sits next to me at work isn't necessarily like that. In fact while I might be counting down that days for my next trip to a place I have never been to before she is counting down to the day she goes to a place she has been to a multitude of times before because she knows that she loves that place and doesn't need to always to go some place new.
Further more, the guy that I speak to on the phone everyday has no intention of leaving the country because his idea of fun is sitting on a jetty with a fishing rod with his mates. In fact he may never actually catch a fish but he doesn't care because catching fish isn't the objective of the exercise, but rather sitting on the jetty with his mates. In fact, while I would not consider myself a fisherman, I have come to understand people's obsession with fishing – it has nothing to do with catching fish and everything to do with wasting your time with friends. Okay, I'm a traveler, and I love to travel (just like my brother does) but not everybody is like that – sometimes people simply love sitting on a jetty, with friends, attempting to catch fish that aren't even there.
16 March 2017
Well, this is a rather interesting Mr Men book because it pits two opposites up against each other: Mr Busy, who happens to be really, really fast and Mr Slow who, you guessed it, happens to be incredibly slow. Well, the book is focused on Mr Busy, but Mr Slow is also a major character in the book and it sort of goes to show how two opposites don't really need to be forced to do what the other wants to do. It seems as if they are both friends, but the problem is because Mr Busy is so fast Mr Slow just doesn't have enough time to catch up, in the end he looks for ways to get away from Mr Busy.
I guess the thing that I picked up with this book is that people aren't always the same, but also if we live life too fast we might end up missing a lot of it. Okay, that may not be the case because I am actually a lot like Mr Busy, I live life fast because there is so much to do, and no time to do it all in, that I want to cram as much of it in as possible. Actually, the invention of the digital camera and the smart phone is an absolute boon because I can rush through art galleries, take photos, and then when I wind down can actually appreciate the images I took. Okay, I do have to becareful because if I go too fast I end up taking photos that are basically crap, but fortunately quite a few of the museums around the world have digitised their art so if my photo is crap then I have a back up.
Like this Monet:
Anyway, this isn't a book about living life fast but rather a book about how many of us are actually quite different, which is something that I have only recently discovered. While I like to try and see as much as possible, and will rush through a museum exhibit taking a multitude of photos, the person that sits next to me at work isn't necessarily like that. In fact while I might be counting down that days for my next trip to a place I have never been to before she is counting down to the day she goes to a place she has been to a multitude of times before because she knows that she loves that place and doesn't need to always to go some place new.
Further more, the guy that I speak to on the phone everyday has no intention of leaving the country because his idea of fun is sitting on a jetty with a fishing rod with his mates. In fact he may never actually catch a fish but he doesn't care because catching fish isn't the objective of the exercise, but rather sitting on the jetty with his mates. In fact, while I would not consider myself a fisherman, I have come to understand people's obsession with fishing – it has nothing to do with catching fish and everything to do with wasting your time with friends. Okay, I'm a traveler, and I love to travel (just like my brother does) but not everybody is like that – sometimes people simply love sitting on a jetty, with friends, attempting to catch fish that aren't even there.
July 28, 2011
A salutary tale about the dangers of amphetamines. If I remember correctly.
February 23, 2010
An amusing tale, which demonstrates why you need to find out about the neighbourhood before buying a house anywhere. Although to be fair, Mr Busy built his own house in two days, so perhaps Mr Slow had too little time to react to it!
Mr Busy is the neighbour from hell: not content with rushing through his own life, he actively seeks out others to inflict his personality on.
My children loved the dynamism of the story counterpointed with Mr Slow's reaction, however they did say they wouldn't like Mr Busy to come round and wake them up!
Mr Busy is the neighbour from hell: not content with rushing through his own life, he actively seeks out others to inflict his personality on.
My children loved the dynamism of the story counterpointed with Mr Slow's reaction, however they did say they wouldn't like Mr Busy to come round and wake them up!
Read
May 30, 2008I couldn't help but feeling during this book that Mr. Busy needs some lessons in personal boundaries. :) We loved that Mr. Lazy tricked him at the end, but should a guy REALLY have to hide under his bed so he won't have to go on a picnic?
September 28, 2015
Ah, Mr Men and Little Miss, how wonderful you are!
These books made up so much of my childhood. No matter what I would go ahead and pick one up. I worked my way through them all a couple of times. Each one has a wonderful story for the child to engage with, each character being fun to read.
Everyone has a bias for their favourite character, yet every book is delightful.
These books made up so much of my childhood. No matter what I would go ahead and pick one up. I worked my way through them all a couple of times. Each one has a wonderful story for the child to engage with, each character being fun to read.
Everyone has a bias for their favourite character, yet every book is delightful.
February 3, 2018
Mr Busy and Mr Slow live near each other, and could have co-existed peacefully if Mr Busy would have learned not to enter someone’s property unless invited. I think with a few ground rules, living next to Mr Busy might be nice, as he has enough energy to take care of his yard and mine as well as plan outings and prepare food for the both of us....
June 9, 2021
What a page turner! I knew I appreciated short books for being able to capture insight within a limited word count but this was truly an experience. A reflection of human personality within caricatures. We all have traits that relate to the main characters. I could feel Mr. Busy's urge to form a human connection with his friend. Of course there's unreciprocated advances of kindness in this book. Along with the misunderstandings of what we all appreciate and want from each other.
February 23, 2020
Mr. Busy, who is an extraordinarily busy person, determines to take Mr. Slow on a picnic despite his obvious disinclination.
August 9, 2022
loved the interactions and juxtaposition between mr busy and mr slow! personally, i relate to mr slow so much more 🥱
May 15, 2020
Another good family read.
March 31, 2015
Think I’m right in stating that as a boy I had all the pre-1990 Mr Men books with the possible exception of “Mr Snow”. Looking at all the covers apart from the latter jogged my memory.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
August 18, 2013
I absolutely loved these Mr Men and Little Miss books. I remember getting them from my granny every week. There was so much from these simple characters, I remember filling my little bookshelf with all these books making sure I had got them all in right order. I wish I still had these books but somehow most of them got lost with many house moves or my mum gave the rest away. If I ever have kids, I will make sure they get the chance to experience these wonderful, colourful books.
December 31, 2018
When you are reading all these Mr Men books (and others in-between!) it could be classified as being a very busy reading time - so what better way to reveal how busy by reading about Me Busy - well anyway a fine entertaining read again as I have now read the first 38 Mr Men books and get closer to the 50 mark for Roger Hargreaves. (and it is not that busy unless you are looking for deep social commentary and allusions to grandeur as some reviewers tend to be doing it is just a fun read)
March 26, 2008
Over and over and over again.... I read these stories to my first daughter and then to my second daughter.
They loved them... they laughed... i love my daughters... i laughed with them....that was more than enough for me.
They loved them... they laughed... i love my daughters... i laughed with them....that was more than enough for me.
September 16, 2011
I'm little miss lazy
November 5, 2012
Presented to me by Peter Pan Playgroup in term 1978/79 :)
June 21, 2013
As always from the Mr Men series - it was a fun and quirky read. Though I have to say the last page scared me a little!
July 9, 2013
Wonderful and great story, ^_^ I like it a lot
January 10, 2015
He always really busy, helping people and he always woke up early!
June 12, 2015
I think this is my highest rated Mr. Man and Little Miss book! They're usually not my thing although the 5 year old loves them haha
November 13, 2015
Another read for Nugget's benefit trying to get him wriggling. Doesn't appear to be busy tonight :)
December 10, 2016
Loved this book! Hilarious and very relatable.
December 30, 2016
I did not like this book because I do not like being busy. I also did not like this book because Mr. Busy was very busy.
August 25, 2017
mr. realy busy . 😎
September 12, 2017
Are you sure this guy shouldn't be called Mr. Quick?
February 12, 2020
Oh how I love this book because Roger introduces the character Mr Slow for the first time in this series. I can’t be busied and fussed too. So I can very much relate to him. See, Mr Men series is written for everyone, young and old. You can always relate to some characters and love or hate some others.
February 27, 2020
6 year old says... LOL this is bad lol. I don't really like it lol because Mr slow hides under the bed which is a silly idea and you can see his foot
40 year old says... Not a fan of Mr busy walking in and out of Mr slows house willy-nilly. Mr slow should just lock his door. Or create some kind of trap door with a pit of spikes below it. That'd solve the problem.
40 year old says... Not a fan of Mr busy walking in and out of Mr slows house willy-nilly. Mr slow should just lock his door. Or create some kind of trap door with a pit of spikes below it. That'd solve the problem.
March 14, 2018
Love all the Mr Men books and I am enjoying them with my son now.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews