I'm (almost) Never Bored

I'm (Not) Very

by Anna Milbourne, Asa Gilland (Illustrator)

"I'm BORED!" wails a little girl after her screen time is cut short. "That's great!" her dad says with a grin. "Being bored comes right before having a Really Good Idea." After an initial protest, the little girl dives into her imagination, and takes the reader with her on a whirlwind ride of pure fun. A cardboard box becomes a magical train, the washing machine inspires an imaginary trip into space, a scribbly doodle becomes a hungry spaghetti monster, and ants in the garden lead her into an escapade in the Funny Bug Circus. In a world where children can find entertainment at the touch of a button, it's ever-more important that they have time to be bored - because that's where they have the space to come up with their own Really Good Ideas.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

24 pages, Hardcover

Published September 12, 2022

About the author

Growing up in North West England and in Germany, Anna wrote plays about talking animals, and stories about naughty children, and drew on every available surface. After school, she did an Art Foundation course, then a degree in German Literature & Philosophy at Oxford University. In 1998 she found her perfect job at Usborne in London, writing about everything from curious penguins to trips to the Moon. Usborne.com

Reviews

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna Milbourne’s I’m (Almost) Never Bored is cheerful, playful, and wonderfully relatable. The story follows a child narrator who notices that even seemingly dull moments — like waiting in the car or sitting at the table — can actually be full of tiny discoveries.

What makes this book especially charming is its design: it’s literally “a book with holes,” encouraging little readers to peek through pages and discover hidden details. The bright, textured illustrations by Asa Gilland feel cozy and familiar, showing everyday spaces as places of wonder rather than monotony.

I love how this book empowers children to see themselves as explorers of their own world — it teaches them that curiosity is a skill, and that boredom can often be chased away by looking just a little closer.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a busy child. She has a great time with her imagination. Her imagination is running wild until she becomes bored again. Daddy keeps saying that being bored comes before a really good idea. And the child finds another idea to keep her busy and doesn't need the adults to show her what to do.

[Haniva Zahra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wah, saya jatuh cinta sekali dengan buku ini! Buku ini membahas betapa bermanfaatnya merasa bosan itu. Betapa bosan ini menguatkan imajinasi dan kreativitas dari setiap orang. Buku ini juga dilengkapi dengan ilustrasi yang sangat menarik, dengan bentuk cut-out yang sangat-sangat membuat saya terpukau. Saya merasa begitu beruntung bertemu dengan buku ini.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that teaches kids the benefits of embracing boredom, and using their imagination.

[Nubes 🌸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The drawings are really beautiful and there is an important message about imagination 🚀 Also loved seeing both the parents doing the chores ✨

[Marie-Pier Dodier · Rating 3 out of 5]

À mettre en réseau avec Je m'ennuie et Mission : ne rien faire!

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute