This is a picture book from the early seventies featuring, I believe, a frog who invites people to her birthday party but no one ends up coming. I think this is because she holds it in the water and serves foods that only she likes. I have a distinct memory of an illustration in which the frog is sitting alone on a lily pad with a party hat askew on her head. She has prepared many gelatin molds with flies and they are beginning to melt. She ends up arranging a different party with food to suit her guests and everyone comes. Please help me!
This sounds like Kingcup Cottage by Racey Helps (1962). “Frog Francesca is renting a cottage on her uncle’s advice: “if the roof leaks, so much the better.” She decides to invite the neighborhood to a birthday party for herself but no one comes. A hedgehog helpfully suggests that the house is too watery to attract many guests. Francesca then becomes hostess at a second party in a drier location where the rooms are not “puddly” and happily enjoys great success.”
Oh my goodness that is it!!!!! Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! My sister and I have been trying to remember this book for years. What a wonderful Christmas present it will be!