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I’m Bored

Just when a little girl thinks she couldn’t possibly be more bored, she stumbles upon a potato who turns the tables on her by declaring that children are boring. But this girl isn’t going to let a vegetable tell her what’s what, so she sets out to show the unimpressed potato all the amazing things kids can do. Too bad the potato is anything but interested.

This tongue-in-cheek twist on a familiar topic is sure to entertain anyone who’s ever been bored—or had to hear about someone else being bored—and is filled with comedian Michael Ian Black’s trademark dry wit, accompanied by charismatic illustrations from newcomer Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

Author: Michael Ian Black
Illustrator: Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Published by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
For ages: 3-8 | Sept/2012
Hardcover, 40 pages
ISBN-10: 1442414030
ISBN-13: 9781442414037

Press & Honors

  • New York Times Notable Children’s Book
  • Junior Library Guild Selection
  • Publishers Weekly starred review
  • Canadian Children’s Book Centre Summer Reading List pick, 2013
  • CCBC Best Books For Teens and Kids starred selection, Spring 2013
  • Voted as their 2013-2014 YouDecide! pick by the first grade students at A. Blair McPherson
  • Winner of March Madness Kindergarten/1st Grade Award, voted on by kindergarten and first grade students
  • Nominated for the 2014-2015 Minnesota Star Of The North Picture Book Award
  • Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award Nominee

““Sometimes a picture book gets it just right…Inspiring and stimulating, it’s a must-see picture book, particularly if you’re a teacher or librarian looking for good story-time reads.” – Julie Danielson, Kirkus Reviews blog

“Black (A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea) keeps this simple concept funny all the way through its final, LOL zinger. Debut illustrator Ohi’s minimalist, scraggly digital drawings are anything but boring, and speak volumes about irritation, desperation, and disdain.” – Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

“…Beautifully written by Michael Ian Black and gorgeously illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi…It has the courage to go unfashionably old-school and suggest that our imagination, not our gadgets, is the only cure [for boredom]”…Both the writing and the illustrations are fearless.” – The Globe & Mail

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