Michael Ian Black answers a second-grader's question about the Potato

By Debbie Ridpath Ohi, I'M BORED illustrator

Last week, I did a Skype visit with a class of second graders at A.Blair McPherson School in Edmonton, Alberta about I'M BORED, a picture book written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by yours truly. So much fun! I read I'M BORED to the class, talked about the process, wrote an I'M BORED song with help from the students, gave them a drawing demo.

During the Q&A, one of the students asked me a question I couldn't answer:

Q. Why does the Potato like flamingos so much?

I told the students I'd ask the author, and here's Michael Ian Black's answer:

A. Because he saw one once on an old television show about Miami and thought to himself, "One day I would love to go to sunny Miami and hang out with those crazy-looking birds." Thought that was self-explanatory.

So now you all know. :-)

If you'd like a free Skype classroom visit about I'M BORED or NAKED! from me (the illustrator), here's more info. For a free Teacher's Guide, print-ready activity sheets and other fun, please see my I'M BORED Bonus Page.

Canine boredom comic from Mandy Yates

Love this comic from children's author and teacher Mandy Yates:

@inkyelbows pic.twitter.com/2leMBJwwQ6

— Mandy C. Yates (@mandyyates) May 12, 2014

A wonderful reading of I'M BORED by a 3-year-old and two 4-year-olds

Thanks to my friend Stephen Conway for sharing this video of his nieces and nephew reading I'M BORED. I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.

I'M BORED: The Sequel :-)

Thanks SO much to a certain local Toronto school for sending me this fantastic sequel to I'M BORED, packed with illustrated ideas about how NOT to be bored. Some samples:

Nick The Therapy Dog With I'M BORED

 

Thanks to Debbie Gates for this photo of Nick with I'M BORED. Nick is a therapy dog with Paws and Think (http://pawsandthink.org/). Once a month, kids get to read to Nick as part of a reading program at Pendleton Community Public Library (http://www.pendleton.lib.in.us/). In the photo above, Nick is patiently waiting for the children to arrive.

You can see other pics in the I'M BORED IN THE WILD reader gallery on Pinterest.

Mandy Yates reads I'M BORED as an example of using humor to hook young readers

Thanks to Mandy Yates for featuring I'M BORED in her video blog post about how using humor can help hook young readers....even reluctant readers.

Mandy also does a brilliant reading of I'M BORED, start to finish. THANKS, MANDY!!!

Now available: I'M BORED Summer Book Club Party Kit

Just added the I'M BORED Summer Book Club Party Kit to the I'M BORED Bonus Page, which can be adapted for any kids' book club event. Includes print-ready invitations, activity sheets, snack and activity suggestions, and resources for those who want to start up their own book club for young people.

One of my favorite I'M BORED reviews ever

Flowers from I'M BORED readers

A while back, I received the wonderful photo above from Paula Speer White and her students in Arlington, TX, and they gave me permission to post it in my I'M BORED In The Wild gallery. Paula wrote:

This book is excellent for teaching verbal irony at the secondary level and self-efficacy at the elementary level~I give it a 10! Humorous, courageous, and witty!

In thanks, I sent them a signed copy of I'M BORED. Then THEY sent me these gorgeous flowers on the weekend:

Thank you for the thank you! :-D