Title: I’m Bored
Author: Kenneth J. Sousa
Publisher: ‎ Brilliant Books Literary
ISBN: ‎164133777X
Pages: ‎30
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Reviewed by: David Allen

Read Book Review

Here is a children’s book, suitable for kids of all ages, a book illuminating and fun for adults as well.

Scampy, a dog who is locked in daily in his backyard, is dreadfully bored. Not only that, but he is teased mercilessly by a cat beyond the fence. Scampy manages to escape.

But sometimes boredom is a good thing. Scampy soon discovers that the outside world, populated by cruel kitties, packs of wild dogs, and dog catchers, is quite a ‘pawful.’ It’s a dog’s life! Just as he sees his life ending, trapped at the pound, his mistress walks in, rescues him, cuddles him in her arms.

The tale is narrated by Scampy: life from the point of view of a dog. Take home lessons for children include Don’t run away from home! Readers and listeners also get to appreciate the world from a non-human perspective. The canine outlook has a great deal to recommend it; who among us hasn’t wanted to know what their pet really thinks?

Here’s one sample of mutt monologue: “Every day’s the same. I wake up, they feed me, and then it’s outside to the fenced in patio where I bake all summer and freeze all winter. Sure, there’s a doghouse, but did you ever sleep in one of those things? The door is always open, mice use it as a gymnasium and there are more fleas than Barnum and Bailey’s. Do they care?”

Others have been down this road before, extolling the wisdom and unconditional love of pets. Volumes and tomes and scholarly works have been written on the subject of dog intelligence, dog psychology, dog language. Except I’m Bored captures the vernacular at the source: out of the mouth of a dog.

Kenneth J. Sousa is a disabled Vietnam veteran and a graduate of Boston University’s College of Communications. He is the author of seven books, including the award-winning Man-Dar and Kill a Cow.

One fascinating parallel: I’m Bored insouciantly taps into the world of the child as well as that of their dog. After all, children and pets are captive audiences. This canny book will broaden perspectives and help set all breeds, human and otherwise, free.