Bored panda

K-Gr 2--A tech-obsessed panda learns the beauty of being bored in this tale of discovering one's own imagination. Panda thinks the world is basically over when his internet goes; he resorts to taking a walk in the forest to stave off his creeping boredom. He is approached by a few animal friends who offer activities to keep Panda engaged, but he refuses. After trying a few of his own ideas, Panda discovers others surrounded by the beautiful products of those activities he turned down earlier. Panda gains a new appreciation of the world around him and ditches his tech to explore his own creative talents. The writing is a perfect style to engage young readers in a story, with its dramatic feelings and expressive moods. The illustrations invite the discovery of new details with every reading. VERDICT An entertaining story much needed in a world with an ever-growing digital landscape; highly recommended for any library needing a little inspiration.--Lindsey Morrison

Some of Panda's peers engage in artistic pursuits in lieu of screen time. When the power to his tablet goes off, Panda, utterly and dramatically at a loss for amusement, sets off into the woods at his mother's suggestion. There he encounters Porcupine, who's about to start a painting and who's quite keen on boredom: "It means anything is possible!" Next, he meets Owl, who is taking photographs, and Beetle, who's "rolling up some fresh dung for a sculpture." Though the other animals all invite Panda to join them, he walks on, "dangerously close to being bored to death," until a lively outdoor art exhibition catches his eye. Porcupine's paintings, Owl's photographs, and Beetle's dung sculptures are all on display. For Panda this is an inspiring revelation. He stops to notice things with enthusiasm on his return home and arrives ready to be bored a bit longer. While Bender's simple, somewhat purposeful storyline is basically an exhortation to put down the devices, the illustrations are bright and energetic, and the humor is pitched to a young audience. Panda's right eye is surrounded by dark fur, similar to the logo for the content-aggregating website Bored Panda. It's a nice twist that this bored Panda is seeking out some real-life entertainment. A worthy message in a visually lighthearted wrapper.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.