Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Calm Down, Boris!

Rate this book
An interactive book with a difference.Boris is a very affectionate monster. He likes nothing better than showering everyone with kisses and, though endearing, it can also be very ticklish. The reader is asked to help Boris brush his hair ready for his trip to the park and gets smothered in grateful kisses. The same happens when we feed him, and when he gets to the park none of the other little monsters want to play with him because he is so loud and boisterous.

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

1 person is currently reading
43 people want to read

About the author

Sam Lloyd

108 books31 followers
Sam Lloyd studied at Brighton University where she gained a BA Hons in Illustration. Now Sam is the author and illustrator of many successful picture books for children. Her picture books include Happy Day, Sad Dog which won the Sainsbury’s Baby Book Award in 2003, Mr Pusskins which won the Booktrust Pre-School Award in 2006 and the V & A Illustration Award. Most recently Calm Down Boris published by Templar in 2006 has been chosen by Richard and Judy for their Christmas Picks.

As well as writing and illustrating books, Sam also enjoys yoga, swimming, camping and doing outdoorsy things. She has been all over the world, including travels to India and Australia. Sam also does a lot of voluntary work with children, painting murals.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
59 (40%)
4 stars
52 (35%)
3 stars
21 (14%)
2 stars
9 (6%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Ken.
2,573 reviews1,379 followers
October 26, 2020
This was given to us as a jokey gift, mainly because the character share his name with the current Prime Minister (who is a hot topic in our family group chats).
I definitely prefer this over enthusiastic lovable monster more.

This interactive book encourages young children to touch and play along with the glove puppet Boris.
From checking his fur for bugs to stroking him to cheer him up, this really really is great for both baby sensory and toddlers to play along.

I can see this being a firm favourite in our house.
11 reviews
September 2, 2012
Boris, a big, loud, orange haired monster scares all of the other little monsters away with his over enthusiasm and love of kissing! Boris's love of kissing knows no boundaries even when it comes to big, scary dogs! In a turn of events, Boris becomes a local hero and now everyone wants to kiss him!

'Calm down Boris!' is a really fun, vibrant and interactive book written and illustrated by Sam Lloyd. I love how fun and silly this book makes storytime and how it really gives children the chance to get to know the character up close.

This book would be suitable for nursery and reception aged children.

In a nursery or reception setting, this book could be used in a fun and interactive story session in which the children could participate. The children could take it in turns to meet Boris and use different describing words for the colour and texture of his fur and behaviour, extending their vocabulary.
12 reviews1 follower
November 2, 2013
Boris is a very loveable and affectionate monster who loves kisses, "kissy, kissy". However, all the other monsters find his kisses too 'tickly'! But, Boris becomes a hero when he saves the day for all the monsters and kisses become much more popular.

The book has a very loveable Boris puppet attached which nursery children will love interacting with and really makes the story come to life. The book is a great addition to a reading corner and could be used as a great start for personal, social and emotional development.In particular, it could be used for role-play to help children understand other individuals feelings.
Profile Image for Garance J. Bonadonna (The Nerdy Artivist).
541 reviews20 followers
December 27, 2020
This is my bestseller in the bookshop where I worked. Kids love it, the puppet is great, I sell it all the time.
The text is nice, with a good rhythm and repetitions that kids will like. It's a cute story.

100% would recommend!
Profile Image for Febe Raes.
96 reviews2 followers
October 12, 2017
Het is leuk dat je je hand vanachter in zijn mond kan steken, zodat je hem kan laten bewegen en spreken.
Profile Image for Yvon.
699 reviews9 followers
December 21, 2019
Superleuke boeken die je eventueel makkelijk kunt vertalen in het Nederlands en lekker interactief zijn. Ook fijn om voor Boris een gek stemmetje te gebruiken.
6 reviews
July 6, 2025
This is one of the 1st book my mum ordered for me and read it:) so close to my heart
Profile Image for Storywraps.
1,968 reviews39 followers
September 26, 2014
This wonderful, interactive book has all the components of a winner. Boris, a loveable, furry, orange monster is a puppet. You stick your hand through the back of the book and make him come alive as you narrate the story (and of course manipulate him to give gobs of kisses to everyone in sight). Boris is a hyper, excitable little creature who wins your heart immediately. A trip to the local park becomes a team effort as you groom the little guy and and check his fur for bugs. Boris loves and appreciates your gestures so much he piles loads of kisses on you to which you respond, "Calm down Boris?" "It tickles."

Boris is so ravenous from his park romp that he needs to refuel. He is starving! You then help him with his picnic lunch and he is so happy that he nibbles on your fingers, "Sorry", says Boris while smothering you with lots of kisses. You reply by saying, "Calm down Boris!" Your kisses are too tickly!"

The other little monsters in the park are afraid to play with him because he is so big and loud and yes, "scary" to them. Then a strange thing happens. A big old dog jumps the fence sending the minuscule monsters running to hide .... but what does Boris do? Boris finds a way to calm the situation which calms the fleeing flock which calms everyone's fears. Boris saves the day! "Kissy, kissy well done, Boris! Kisses all 'round.....come here...... :)
Profile Image for Nazhath .
12 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2015
Calm Down Boris! by Sam Lloyd


Boris is an orange, hairy, affectionate and over enthusiastic monster. Although he means well, Boris tends to get carried away easily and ends up spoiling everything. During his trip to the park, none of the other little monsters want to play with him because of his boisterous nature and obsession with giving kisses. But when a big scary dog jumps over the fence, Boris comes to the rescue by scaring it away with his friendly little kisses.
This book is ideal for early year and KS1 learners as it comes with a hand puppet (that is Boris) which helps make the story come out alive and allow them to touch and interact with the character, Boris. This enables them to communicate and say “calm down Boris!” whenever Boris tries to smother them with his kisses, saying “kissy, kissy, kissy!”

Early years and KS1 children will also be drawn to the visually stimulating illustrations and colours in the book displaying the bright, orange Boris and his surroundings.

This book would be a great addition to the reading corner and could be used in a fun story session in which the children could participate and take it in turns to meet Boris and use different describing words for the colour and texture of his fur and behaviour, extending their vocabulary.
Profile Image for Big Book Little Book.
333 reviews122 followers
September 20, 2011
Ahh Boris. What child wouldn't find a furry, manic monster who just loves to kiss and who gets chastised for being a tad overzealous compelling? The joy of this book is how the child participation smoothly runs through this simple, quirkily illustrated story. It's also a great book for when you want to entertain more than one child including babies.

My 8mth old son will collapse into giggles when petted by Boris and is clearly quite fascinated with the hand puppet.

It is a short read. We found though that it encouraged my 3 yr old daughter to 'role play' and she loves to pretend to be Boris herself.


Verdict: This is definitely a day time book as opposed to a bedtime book due to the excitement it causes and deserves a place in every preschoolers bookshelf.
Karen



Profile Image for Rochelle Sondae.
610 reviews8 followers
June 23, 2012
The little guy was afraid of this book at first. Once I set it down and he was able to touch it without his finger getting "bit" he loved it. I wasn't as thrilled with it since I had to read it with him hanging around my neck which actually made it easier for "Boris" to "bite" him but made it hard for me to breath. Won't he be thrilled when I take Wendy The Wide Mouthed Frog next week :)
16 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2010
This book was opened this morning as a Holiday gift:

My daughter loved this one. She wanted to read it to me right after we were finished. I can tell it will be one she learns quickly too.

It's a silly - laugh inducing - fun book that will be especially helpful for bringing her out of "not-so-happy" moods that she gets into from time to time.
Profile Image for Taylor.
65 reviews
February 4, 2013
Very interactive, easy to follow book! Great for getting children involved and awesome for making the children feel like they're part of the story. Boris loves to give his kisses but sometimes they're just too much! Other times they're just right! Students will love the boris book!
Profile Image for Uriah.
157 reviews4 followers
August 12, 2016
The design of the book is wonderful. The puppet is a lot of fun to play with. Unfortunately, the story is pretty blah.
Profile Image for Ava.
1 review1 follower
June 4, 2012
I love it because its so funny!
Profile Image for Rika.
8 reviews2 followers
December 29, 2012
My nine month old daughter loves Boris. Boris was a Christmas gift and a lovely one at that. He cheers her up in a flash when he tickles her little feet and kissy kissy her chubby cheeks.
Profile Image for Kim.
727 reviews13 followers
January 13, 2013
After Mini-Me got over being scared by Boris, this has become one of her favourite bedtime books. What's not to love about a fuzzy orange puppet giving you tickly kisses?
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.