Blobfish Throws a Party

In this fairly bonkers picture book, a lonely pink blobfish’s verbal invitation to an underwater bash (“Deep-sea party! Bring a treat to share!”) gets mangled as it spreads. “But the mermaids heard... ‘Cheap, free party! Sling on a sheet to wear!’ ” writes Paul (10 Little Ninjas). “And the shorebirds heard... ‘Cheep-peep party! Sing and tweet with flair!’ ” Soon, sheep are dressing up for tea parties, farmers are making a musical ruckus, and children are flinging their underwear skyward. Debut illustrator Caton captures the chaos in energetic cartoon illustrations whose vivid hues are just right for the story’s anything-can-happen atmosphere. Just when it seems like peak ridiculousness has been reached, aliens show up, ready to steal the world’s candy, only to be thwarted by all that airborne underwear. Cue an epic celebration with Blobfish at the center. Not every misheard line makes total sense (“And the farmers heard... ‘Keep up the party! Ring a beat to blare!’ ”), but “making sense” isn’t exactly this book’s modus operandi. Most readers will be too caught up in the silliness to care. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary. (May)