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Bored
Utter boredom leads one imaginative girl to inspiration in this clever story from much-loved creator Felicita Sala.
Rita is bored. So, so, so bored.
She’s tried stretching her body across her bedroom, side-eyeing herself in the mirror, stomping her feet and swinging her arms. Time drags on, and there she remains: catatonic with boredom.
In her tragic and weakened state, her mind drifts to the beginning of a daydream. What if all the bored people in the world gathered together and got onto a bus? What if the boredom filled them up like balloons, with tiny heads and arms sticking out? What if they floated into the sky, bobbing along until they each spied something exciting enough to make them toot the boredom out?
By the time Rita’s mother calls her for dinner, she’s very, very busy.
Anyone who’s ever been bored will find catharsis in Rita’s plight. As all creative people eventually learn, boredom can be the best launchpad to great ideas. Felicita Sala’s expressive, inviting illustrations and sly storytelling are a guaranteed antidote to the doldrums.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Rita is bored. So, so, so bored.
She’s tried stretching her body across her bedroom, side-eyeing herself in the mirror, stomping her feet and swinging her arms. Time drags on, and there she remains: catatonic with boredom.
In her tragic and weakened state, her mind drifts to the beginning of a daydream. What if all the bored people in the world gathered together and got onto a bus? What if the boredom filled them up like balloons, with tiny heads and arms sticking out? What if they floated into the sky, bobbing along until they each spied something exciting enough to make them toot the boredom out?
By the time Rita’s mother calls her for dinner, she’s very, very busy.
Anyone who’s ever been bored will find catharsis in Rita’s plight. As all creative people eventually learn, boredom can be the best launchpad to great ideas. Felicita Sala’s expressive, inviting illustrations and sly storytelling are a guaranteed antidote to the doldrums.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
48 pages, Hardcover
Published January 6, 2026
82 people want to read
About the author
Felicita Sala
54 books70 followersFelicita is a self taught illustrator. She graduated in Philosophy from the University of Western Australia. She has worked on several animation projects along with husband Gianluca, but her passion is making picture books. She lives in Rome with Gianluca and their daughter Nina.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 6, 2026
This is a really adorable and entertaining picture book! The illustrations are fun and creative, and the story does a great job of sparking your imagination. Highly recommended for picture book lovers.
October 1, 2025
Hell, if that wasn't super relatable...
Sometimes, you're just so bored that you look like a floppy sock, and your brain feels like a fuzzy rock. But that's what your imagination is for, isn't it?
Sometimes, you're just so bored that you look like a floppy sock, and your brain feels like a fuzzy rock. But that's what your imagination is for, isn't it?
July 12, 2025
Rita is bored. BORED, she says!
This delightfully odd and energetic picture book is a wacky ode to boredom, and how it often leads us, quite unexpectedly, to creativity and curiosity. What begins as a dramatic declaration of "nothing to do" spirals into a wonderfully chaotic exploration of the ways we entertain ourselves when we least expect it.
Sala’s wiggly, expressive art - muted in tone but full of movement- perfectly matches the quirky, non-traditional storytelling. The result is a book that feels both spontaneous and meaningful, inviting young readers to reflect on their own moments of restlessness. It's a timely message for children growing up in a fast-paced world: boredom isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of imagination.
This would be a fantastic storytime pick, especially for kids who claim there’s “nothing to do.” Once again, Neal Porter Books delivers something special - unconventional, memorable, and refreshingly real.
This delightfully odd and energetic picture book is a wacky ode to boredom, and how it often leads us, quite unexpectedly, to creativity and curiosity. What begins as a dramatic declaration of "nothing to do" spirals into a wonderfully chaotic exploration of the ways we entertain ourselves when we least expect it.
Sala’s wiggly, expressive art - muted in tone but full of movement- perfectly matches the quirky, non-traditional storytelling. The result is a book that feels both spontaneous and meaningful, inviting young readers to reflect on their own moments of restlessness. It's a timely message for children growing up in a fast-paced world: boredom isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of imagination.
This would be a fantastic storytime pick, especially for kids who claim there’s “nothing to do.” Once again, Neal Porter Books delivers something special - unconventional, memorable, and refreshingly real.
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December 27, 2025Oh my gosh what a totally fun, laugh out loud book about a little girl named Rita. Rita is sooooo bored. She tries things like jumping up and down in front of a mirror as well as many other things to alleviate her boredom. Then she begins to imagine if all the bored people in the world were put together, then what would happen?
While not traditionally illustrated, the illustrations actually work perfectly for the story. And for any adult who absolutely hates to hear that title word uttered by a child (my hand is raised), here’s the book to help.
While not traditionally illustrated, the illustrations actually work perfectly for the story. And for any adult who absolutely hates to hear that title word uttered by a child (my hand is raised), here’s the book to help.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Bored by Felicita Sala was the perfect read aloud for our first day back after break. The story follows a girl who feels bored and, as she begins to fill her time, her imagination takes over and turns boredom into an adventure. It was an easy and engaging way to jump back into our read aloud routine, and the students were instantly drawn in, especially by the illustrations.
We used the story to spark a great discussion about things we can do when we feel bored, without turning to technology. This one is a great addition to any classroom library or home bookshelf.
We used the story to spark a great discussion about things we can do when we feel bored, without turning to technology. This one is a great addition to any classroom library or home bookshelf.
January 17, 2026
I first realized I love Sala's picture books when I read If You Run Out of Words, and I've kept an eye out for her ever since (although looking at her back catalogue, she's illustrated some fantastic books by other authors). This one is also the perfect combination of delight and a realistic portrayal of the way kids think and feel. While most adults could predict the ending, each page turn is a surprise once Rita's bored imagination really gets going.
August 17, 2025
ARC from Edelweiss.
November 3, 2025
This is the story of Rita who is bored. Her mind wanders into a daydream. The illustrations bring the adventure to life.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Cute book full of imagination.
January 6, 2026
When my children said they were bored I would have them experience it and sit in the boredom. Wonderful ideas and ideas would come from being bored!
frankies-book-shelf
January 18, 2026Got a few chuckles with this one
January 19, 2026
This was so great!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews