Bored Panda

by Mike Bender, Chuck Dillon (illustrator)

Come along with a tech-obsessed Panda as he goes from having a "boring" no-screens day to a joyful, out-and-about day. New York Times bestselling creator of Awkward Family Photos wants you to being bored is not boring!

For Panda, there is NOTHING worse than being bored. It's just so...boring.

But what's a tech-loving panda to do when there's no electricity? Skeptical that the great outdoors will cure his boredom, Panda nonetheless sets out on a day full of surprises. They might even turn out to be fun surprises!

From the duo behind The Most Serious Fart comes a very not boring tale about how boredom is never really boredom--it's a chance to discover all the fun waiting to be had!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Art, Nature

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 29, 2025

Reviews

[SABRINA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Although biased because PANDAS! This picture books just hits right at home and is very relatable for the youth today and as a mother as well. Being bored isn't always... boring, adventure awaits!

[Krista · Rating 1 out of 5]

Panda was bored when the power went out and he couldn’t be on his iPad. This book is for young children and they shouldn’t be on screens at all. I think the goal was to inspire children to explore and get outside…possibly?? 😒

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Panda is at a loss about what to do when his tablet loses its power. He is so bored! So Panda reluctantly goes for a walk into the forest where he meets Porcupine painting, Owl taking photographs, and Beetle making sculptures out of fresh dung. None of it sounds interesting until Panda sees the work they have produced. Lively illustrations, playful humor, and an adorable Panda combined with a gentle message about the rewards of unplugging make this a wonderful picture book to read and share.

"Panda was officially done at 'dung.'"

"He even tried watching the grass grow, which, as it turns out, is exactly like watching the grass grow."

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, this picture book should speak to the bored generation. When a power outage thwarts Panda's use of technology, he is bored beyond words, a sentiment that is depicted effectively in the illustrations and through the repetition of the word "so" in 15 rows across one page, ending in one "bored" in bold-face font. When none of his family members' activities seem alluring, he sets off for a walk in the woods. Although initially he's not impressed with what he encounters, eventually he gains a whole new perspective and sees the world through a different lens, pun intended. There are plenty of youngsters--and older folks too--who might find this picture book and what Panda learns to be rather refreshing. But I'm one of those who's of a mind that a little boredom is good for us since it leads to stepping out of our comfort zones and having to use our imaginations and be creative. The
pencil, ink, and Photoshop illustrations are attractive and fit the text well. Kids will giggle at the dung beetle and Panda's reaction to its labors.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the power goes out and Panda can’t use his device anymore, he is so so so (filling an entire page) bored. At his mother’s suggestion, he talks a walk in the woods. He begins w no hope of finding anything inspiring, and passes by three friends engaged in creative pursuits without seeing any sense in stopping. But right at the moment he plans to turn around, he comes upon a large crowd gathered under a magnificent tree who, as it turns out, are enjoying the creative works of his friends. He now sees the beauty in these works, too. All of this is so so so (filling another entire page) NOT boring that he is inspired to remain tech-free even after returning home and finding the power restored. Being bored isn’t boring at all! The illustrations are very cartoony. Panda’s facial expressions and wry comments are funny, and the message is a good one for students to ponder and discuss.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the power goes out at Panda's house and his Panda-Pad won't work, Panda learns what it means to be bored. His mother suggests he go for a walk. So he does, expecting to continue to be bored. While on his walk he encounters Porcupine who invites him to sit for a painting, Owl who invites him to look for the perfect subject for a photo, Beetle who invited him to play with...gulp...poop! Panda chooses to lay down and watch the grass grow until it's time to go home. When he finally gets up to go he comes across all the forest animals gathered under a large tree. They are all admiring Porcupine's paintings, Owls photographs and Beetles dung sculptures. Panda decides that being bored isn't that bad at all!

Cute story. Illustrations are lively but Panda doesn't look like an actual panda. If he wasn't named Panda, I wouldn't have know what to think he was.

[Robin Berman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I follow Bored Panda on social media and enjoy its content.

This picture book doesn't really have anything to do with the social media site, only it is created by the same people or person? Not sure because the book only mentions it briefly on the back cover.

The story is about a young panda who is bored because the power is out, and he can't use his electric device which apparently he's addicted to. So, he is forced to actually go outside and explore, and discovers there are actually other things to do besides use devices, especially creative things like painting, photography and sculpting etc - art. He realizes those activities are fun too, and rewarding.

Illustrated cartoon colorful style by Chuck Dillon.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny story about a bored panda (because his screen dies, of course), who discovers there are still a few interesting things in the world around him, if only he's willing to open up his senses and notice.

I love that those interesting things are a combination of art and nature, or, I guess, that art helps open their eyes to the beauty of nature around them.

This is a bit wordy, and some of the picture panels are a little small, but I think elementary school students would appreciate the humor, and it would probably work well with a group of 20 or less.

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Panda! The power is out and he can no longer entertain himself with his panda pad. SO BORING. His mom tells him to take a walk in the woods to see what is out there. While he is exploring, Panda might actually just discover the secret to beating boredom.

A great reminder that being bored is actually the opportunity for discovery, I think this would be a favorite book for any young person who complains about being bored one too many times. I could see this being used as a read-aloud or a pre activity for an art project. It was cute and a great celebration of being unplugged.

[Bedashruti Mitra Basu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes being bored is the first step towards creativity. Panda’s house loses power and the panda-pad cannot be used any more. Panda is of course bored – very, very bored. But he soon finds out that being bored isn’t boring at all!

This picture book is an important reminder for parents, especially in this part of the world. Go to any mall over the weekend and you’d find parents ferrying their little ones from one enrichment class to another, lest the little one gets bored. In the quest of enriching their minds, perhaps we are depleting their creativity!

[H.E.R.bookshelves]

Could not have come across this book at a more perfect time. Panda's power went out and he found himself bored because he didn't have wifi/a tablet to play on. Our wifi just happened to go out a few days ago and we still hadn't gotten it back on. It was a nice reminder to H (7 y/o) that we need to be doing more than just playing on our iPad. Coming across the art show was even better because H loves to be crafty. What an adorable book.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the power goes out, Panda is faced with a challenge to find something that's not boring to do in the meantime. Reluctantly he heads into the forest and is encouraged by others to try something new like painting, photography and making sculptures. His initial skepticism changes when he sees the joy those activities bring his forest friends.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a little panda's device loses power, he finds himself so bored. On a walk through the forest, he sees how the other creatures are inspired to create. This was an adorable story about using your imagination to inspire new and different ways to have fun when your electronics don't work. Excellent message for our tech obsessed world!

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 1 out of 5]

definitely a book aimed at caregivers rather than kids. there were adult chuckles, but even the older siblings weren't impressed. I was working pretty hard, trying to make it an engaging storytime book, but nope.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

These no-screen books are so great. Here little Panda's tablet is out of power so... Kids will love all the pages which try to pitch not-boring things and Panda's responses. Ultimately, ART saves the day, and Panda sees the light of an observant life.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The power goes out, so Panda cannot use his tablet and gets bored. He passes three characters in the woods making art, but he deems them. all boring. Thankfully, by the end of the book he realizes boredom fuels creativity and chooses not to go on the tablet but to make art instead.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute book about boredom. I think it would be perfect for older preschoolers and early elementary aged kids. There are a couple of pages that make me sympathetic for anyone with a kiddo who won't let you get away without reading *every* word on the page (iykyk).

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually pretty cute. While it’s not that different than other “take a break from technology books,” I like it better than other ones and I will definitely use it during my digital citizenship unit.

[Heidi Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Panda discovers a surprise during a boring screen free day. This book is so adorable and relevant.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book that tries to teach kids about creativity and how the feeling of being bored is just ripe with creativity.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe story time? Definitely young school age. All about not having access to technology and how boring it is...or maybe not.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A creative way to introduce kids to alternatives to electronics, without preaching (too much).

Themes: pandas, emotions, technology, humor
Ages: preK-2nd grade
Pub year: 2025

[S46354595 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could never be bored. I will find something to do even if I'm locked in an empty room.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hmmmm. Maybe boredom isn't really all that boring afterall. Love love love this!

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Sculpture, Art, Photography, Nature Walks, Boredom

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids very quickly identified with Panda being so so so so so bored when he could no longer use his tablet. I appreciate the message!

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, but power was out--but it wasn't when he got home?

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loads of fun and delightful illustrations provide an entertaining story with an effective piuchline ending in which PANDA chooses for itself what really does appeal- and it isn't a screen.

[Angie]

What a great way to remind us to slow down and unplug!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE PET SNAIL PORTRAITS!!