Are You Bored Minimoni?

By Rocio Bonilla 

Albatross Books (Enlish edition) 2026

Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray

Rocio Bonilla is a prolific Spanish author/illustrator with over 50 titles published, translated into multiple languages around the world. Are You Bored, Minimoni? Is part of a series about the titular character Monica (aka Minimoni) including fractured fairytales and several themed around the daily challenges of kid life. A spin off series has the character at a younger age, for younger readers, as Babymoni.

In this installment, Minimoni introduces us to her weekly schedule and the diary she is carefully monitoring to stay on track. Each week she has school, of course, plus friends, hockey, the library, painting class and an afternoon at Grandma’s. On Saturdays, the family goes hiking. On Sundays…nothing! This leaves Minimoni in the terrible predicament of being BORED. In a relatable spread, we see Minimoni surrounded by toys, books, craft activities and puzzles but feeling she has nothing to do. But just as the reader expects a predictable story about learning to entertain oneself, the book pivots to a wild imaginary adventure. Minimoni asks a mouse, a rabbit and a snake. She buries underground, visits the snow, and throws a paper aeroplane to a whale. Finally an alien sends her back to ask Mom for ideas about resolving boredom. A witty last page reveals that Minimoni is never EVER bored because of her brilliant imagination.

This is a beautifully designed picture book, with a strong, likeable lead character. The illustrations bring Minimoni’s imagination to life fully as she traverses landscapes and animal friends. Vertical and horizontal spreads invite readers to turn the book around and endpapers add the fun. This is a light and lovely story for readers 3+ that is far from boring.

Lara Cain Gray is the author of The Grown-Ups Guide to Picture Books.