I'm bored

I'm bored.

 Written by Michael Ian Black and Illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Marirosa Mia: Yay, picture book time! I love it when Julie and I find a picture book we both enjoy. This time around we have I'M BORED, written by comedian Michael Ian Black and illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Our story starts with a little girl - a very bored little girl.  There's simply nothing for her to do except lament how boring everything is. I dread the day my niece enters this age. Soon the little girl meets a talking potato who is equally bored. (I really want to make some sort of potato pun here but I can't think of any yet! It will come to me.) One would think the two would become fast friends, bonded by their lack of entertainment. But NO, not so at all. Not only is the potato still bored, but he also thinks children are soooo boring, unlike flamingos, who are super-exciting. (FACT: Flamingos are actually awesome.) Unwilling to stand for this, the little girl sets off to prove that children aren't boring at all by showing the potato all the amazing, imagination-filled things they can do! But is it enough to entertain one very bored potato?  I'm not going to say, but - spoiler alert - a flamingo does make an appearance. 

J:  This book cries out, "Read me to a bunch of kids!  I'm perfect for it, you'll see!"  It's fun and funny and fast and clever.  I'm terrible at creating different voices when I read aloud, but even I feel inspired to give a very dramatic reading.  How often does one get to give voice to a potato?  I love the art, too.  It's bold but also spare, and colorful, and full of life and movement.  What do you think about the art, Mia?  And do you have any quibbles with the book?   

M: I want a Part Two! With the flamingo and the potato. Does that count as a quibble? I thought the art worked perfectly with the text of the book. It was simple yet kinetic - if that makes sense. There was always a sense of movement to the art, even from the beginning. I can't wait to read it to my niece, who's already in love with CREEPY CARROTS. 

J:  Um, that's not exactly what I had in mind as a quibble.  But it's a great idea!  As for a quibble of my own, I think a few variations on the potato's "boring" refrain might have been fun.  A "yawn" or a "snooze," perhaps; a "been there, done that."  Having a zillion "boring"s became a little (can you guess?) (you got it!) boring.  But it's such a trivial complaint.  I still love the book.  I'm tempted to gather my far-too-old children around me now and try a little story time.  Because we've all been cooped up in this apartment for the past 48 hours.  We could certainly use a potato and a flamingo.