Are You Bored?
Picture book by Monika Marzec
Nothing is fun. Nothing is exciting. Everything is boring.
But maybe — just maybe — I can help you discover something interesting.
‘Are You Bored?’ is a lighthearted and relatable story about overcoming boredom in rainbow of unexpected places.
A Fun and Relatable Picture Book About Boredom and the Magic of Books!
Are You Bored? is a playful and beautifully illustrated picture book that turns everyday boredom into big imagination. Perfect for kids ages 3–8 and anyone who hears “I’m bored!” a little too often.
🎉 Pre-order the book with an early discount
🎁 Includes a FREE 60-page Activity Book PDF ($11.99 value)!
🎁 Claim Your Free Are You Bored? Activity Book
Did you pre-order a copy of Are You Bored??
As a thank-you, I’ve created a fun, printable Activity Book filled with drawing prompts, games, and creative challenges inspired by the story (60 pages!) worth $11.99 on Amazon. You can also enter a print Activity Book giveaway - 10 copies ready to be send out after the book launch!
👉 To get your free PDF and enter the giveaway lottery just email a screenshot or copy of your purchase receipt to:
📩 areyouboredbook@gmail.com
I’ll send your download link straight to your inbox! 💛
Pre-Order Promotion – Terms & Conditions
Thank you for your interest in Are You Bored?
Customers who pre-order the hardcover, paperback or Kindle edition between now and July 25, 2025 will receive a free printable activity book (PDF) as a bonus and eneter a giveaway - a chance to win a printer edition of the Activi Book.
To claim your bonus:
Complete your purchase through any authorized retailer.
Send a picture, screenshot or scan of a receipt or any other proof of purchase for pre-ordering the Are You Bored? book
Follow the instructions I’ll send back by email to download your activity book.
Please note:
One activity book per customer.
Offer valid for purchases made during the pre-order period only.
Available while supplies last.
We reserve the right to modify or end this promotion at any time.
Questions? Contact us at areyouboredbook@gmail.com.
Your information will be used only to send updates and content related to ‘Are You Bored?’ in accordance with our privacy policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.Read-aloud of Are You Bored?
Anne Miranda reads ARE YOU BORED? by writer/ illustrator Monika Marzec.
Ages 4-8. Order this (available July 26, 2025)
Are you looking for something to do? Here's book about being bored and how to solve the problem. Can you guess what the solution is? Watch this video and find out.
BookLife Review
Marzec offers young readers an array of ways to beat the boredom blues in this entertaining picture book. Featuring a host of young, unnamed narrators, the story opens with a rundown of the three main causes of boredom: feeling too tired, feeling too lazy, and not being able to settle on interesting activities. From there, Marzec outlines creative solutions for keeping oneself entertained, from playing video games to catching some quick Zzz’s to taking a luxurious bubble bath.
Any kid who’s ever tried to pass unstructured time in a fun way will find plenty of appealing ideas here, each one accompanied by a bright, amusing illustration of the story’s main characters engaging in that activity. Some of the examples feel more inspiring than others—like the young boy who suggests that watching flies can be a way to pass the time—but the sheer number of ideas is appealing. Marzec also recognizes situations that can be outside of a child’s control, such as a rainy day or only having access to old toys, although she encourages children to make the best of what’s on hand. Most exciting is Marzec’s nod to reading as the ultimate way to bust boredom—it “takes you on unforgettable adventures…or shows you something you’ve never seen before,” she writes. That wisdom will resonate with adults encouraging kids to dive into the written word, and Marzec’s illustration of a grandmother reading to her grandchild is heartwarming.
The vibrant graphics stand out against their stark white backgrounds, highlighting the facial expressions and nonverbal communication of kids who just can’t seem to come up with anything enjoyable to do—whether it’s a boy daydreaming on a couch or a child sprawled on the floor, brainstorming fun leisure pursuits. Young readers will jump at the chance to try these inventive ideas out at home.
Takeaway: Entertaining and creative ideas for busting boredom.
Comparable Titles: Michael Ian Black’s I’m Bored, Mac Barnett’s Extra Yarn.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Readers’ Favorite
Reviewed by Marie-Hélène Fasquel
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Are You Bored? is a joyful, clever, and beautifully illustrated book that I wholeheartedly recommend to parents, grandparents, and educators alike. If I were teaching younger children (mine are senior high school students), it would find a place of honor in my classroom library. In the meantime, I look forward to sharing a French translation with my grandsons (they will look at the illustrations, and I will translate orally). It’s a wonderful reminder that with a little imagination, even boredom can lead us to the most marvellous discoveries.
Are You Bored? by Monika Marzec is one of the loveliest children’s books I have read on the theme of boredom. The illustrations are delightful: lively, expressive, and so full of movement that you half expect the characters to leap off the page. The text itself is a little gem: it never dwells on the negative aspect of boredom. On the contrary, it examines this with humor and lightness. I particularly appreciated how the book identifies the three main groups of reasons why a teenager or youngster might feel bored and then playfully explores a series of ideas to remedy the situation. Each suggestion is dismissed in turn, always with a witty remark or a clever pun. The humor is perfectly pitched, and makes this an entertaining read for both children and the adults reading with them. And then comes the final suggestion: the one that truly matters. It’s the one closest to my heart as both a teacher and an author. The answer to boredom? Reading books, of course! How could I not fall in love with a story that celebrates the infinite worlds opened by reading?”
Readers’ Favorite
Reviewed by Carol Thompson
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Are You Bored? by Monika Marzec is a charming picture book that captures a familiar childhood feeling and transforms it into a delightful journey of discovery. Aimed at children ages three to eight, the story opens with a simple yet powerful feeling—boredom. What follows is a playful and imaginative exploration of what happens when a young child’s dull day is interrupted by the quiet magic of a book. Marzec skillfully turns a moment of complaint into a springboard for creativity, showing young readers that boredom isn’t the end of the fun but rather the beginning. The text encourages problem solving and sparks curiosity, inviting children to see the world, especially books, as full of unexpected adventures.
The illustrations are bold and expressive, adding vibrant colors and visual humor to each page. Children will enjoy scanning the scenes for tiny details and giggling at the characters’ exaggerated expressions. The images bring the mood and pace of the story to life and provide context clues for early readers who are developing their vocabulary. This book also adapts well to group reading, whether in a classroom setting or during family story time. The repetition of phrases and the universal theme make it easy for children to anticipate and participate. Are You Bored? provides a meaningful message about turning inward to find inspiration. By blending humor, relatability, and subtle encouragement to read, the book becomes an engaging tool for both learning and leisure. Monika Marzec has created a tale that children will want to revisit often.”
Readers’ Favorite
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Are You Bored? by Monika Marzec is a wonderful children’s book about kids and boredom. When you’re bored, you need to understand why. Maybe it’s because you’re tired? Lazy? Or is it just that you can’t find anything that interests you? This fun book will teach you how to let your creative side out and use your imagination to find something fun to do, providing lots of ideas to keep kids entertained – and some ways that aren’t that good for you.
Are You Bored? by Monika Marzec is a really fun way for kids to learn some boredom management techniques. All parents are used to hearing their kids say they are bored, but there’s so much they can do to alleviate it. This book provides lots of cool ideas to help kids entertain themselves, but it also talks about some that are only good in small doses. Perhaps the most important one is kept until last – reading – and it’s one of the best boredom busters ever, for kids and adults alike. Encouraging kids to read more is always welcome, as too many spend all their time glued to screens these days, but books offer the best way for children to use their imaginations and enter new worlds. The illustrations are colorful, helping kids understand the story better. This book is so much fun, your kids will be forever creating new ways to amuse themselves, and you might never hear those words, “I’m bored,” again! This is the perfect addition to any child’s library, both at home and school, and will be an amazing lifeline for parents at the end of their tether!
Readers’ Favorite
Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Monica Marzec's picture book, Are You Bored? presents a delightful approach to helping children overcome boredom. The book follows a group of children as they face common boredom scenarios. Marzec offers a variety of engaging activities to keep kids occupied, such as sleeping, cleaning, embarking on adventures with a cardboard box and pets, drawing, playing musical instruments, or even video games. However, the author also addresses situations where these activities might not be possible, like when friends are unavailable due to chores or homework, or the impossibility of watching flies fly if they're not around. In such instances, Marzec provides a timeless, dependable, and often free solution to fix boredom: reading. Books are presented as magical and reliable companions that can educate, broaden horizons, and ignite imagination, passion, and creativity while providing fun and inspiration, whether read independently or with someone by your side.
This picture book offers a charming and effective way to combat boredom for young readers. Author Monika Marzec uses a simple, humorous, and engaging writing style to deliver a candid and clever narrative that is relatable and delightful for children. It is visually captivating, with skillfully rendered and detailed images that are vibrant and expressive, along with its whimsical handwritten font style that perfectly complements the material. These enjoyable and comical illustrations enhance the entertainment appeal for children and adults. Beyond its engaging format, Are You Bored? is a thoughtful, witty read that promotes essential life skills such as emotional strength, inclusivity, independence, and problem-solving. It also fosters an appreciation for the joy found in simple moments and cultivates a love for reading. This book is recommended for emerging, lower, and upper beginner readers aged 3 to 8.”
Readers’ Favorite
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Children tend to get bored easily. However, there are ways to keep them active and engaged, so they never feel bored. Are You Bored? is a captivating picture book by Monika Marzec that explores some of these methods. Did you know there are three main causes why someone feels bored? Maybe you're feeling too tired, or maybe you're just being lazy. Maybe it's just the fact that you don't find anything interesting. This book covers all three causes in great depth, showing what children can do to stop feeling tired or lazy and find interesting things to do when they're free. One of these activities is reading books. Books are such wonderful creations. They take us on fun-filled adventures in extraordinary worlds that spark our imagination and creativity.
Are You Bored? is a delightful picture book that shows how anyone can find something interesting to do if only they're brave enough to use their imagination and creativity. Author Monika Marzec has crafted an engaging narrative with a personable writing style bound to appeal to young readers. Additionally, the book features lively illustrations of characters that children can relate to. Marzec also offers solutions to some of the everyday problems children deal with. For example, sometimes children feel tired or lazy and have a hard time getting involved in any particular activity that requires patience and immersion. This absorbing picture book will certainly help them deal with some of those issues. It's a must-have for teachers, parents, and other caregivers. I'm glad I read this book and highly recommend it..”
Are You Bored? | Children’s Book Trailer | New Picture Book Coming July 2025 “Are You Bored?” is a beautifully illustrated picture book for kids that celebrates curiosity, creativity, and the unexpected joy of boredom. In just 10 seconds, this short trailer introduces you to the playful, imaginative world where boredom becomes the beginning of an adventure.
ake a behind-the-scenes look at how I illustrated one of the pages from my children’s book ‘Are You Bored?’ - using a vibrant, story-driven color palette that you can now download and use in your own art! In this time-lapse, you’ll see my full process: from rough sketch to final color, including how I use soft textures, multiply layers for shadows, and color highlights to bring the scene to life. Download my custom book color palette (free): https://www.monikamarzec.com/creating...
A behind-the-scenes look at how I illustrated one of the pages from start to finish! Watch the full process: from rough sketch, choosing colors, layering shadows and light, to adding final textures. I focused on dynamic posing, lighting, and color harmony to bring the character to life.