Bored

by Felicita Sala

Rita is bored. So, so, so bored. 

Flopped in her bedroom, limp and tragic, Rita tries everything to cure her malaise. But time drags on, and there she catatonic with boredom. 
 
If only there were a special place, a non-boring place just for bored people …
 
From award-winning creator Felicita Sala comes a slyly brilliant ode to boredom and imagination, and a guaranteed antidote to the doldrums.
 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Kindle Edition

Published December 30, 2025

About the author

Felicita 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.

Reviews

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

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?

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[CONSTANCE]

Oh 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.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when a hyped-up book is actually so good. This book is actually so good. The illustrations have the most emphatic little figures who look just as bored as bored can be. The story is funny, but also sweet, but not saccharine. This is relatable for preschoolers or early elementary. This book is a total winner.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure where this one was going. I like the overall idea of embracing boredom and how just letting our minds be bored allows them to ignite with creativity. And also, the fart joke of it all was somewhat disappointing...but then again, a 40 something mom is not the intended audience. For the intended audience, a fart joke is a chef's kiss of a plot twist!

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC from Edelweiss.

[Melinda Divine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Rita who is bored. Her mind wanders into a daydream. The illustrations bring the adventure to life.

[Cherokee - Books With A Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book full of imagination.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Pinky LO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amato

[madeleine mascitti]

Got a few chuckles with this one

[Heidi Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so great!