Let’s Do Nothing by Tony Fucile c2009 Candlewick Press

Friends Frankie and Sal have done it all. They have played all their board games and baked loads of cookies. They have played every sport and read all their comic books. What on earth is left to do? Maybe it is time to try doing absolutely NOTHING…

Turns out doing nothing can be quite a challenge, as the boys discover. In our house, we played a game called, “Quaker’s Meeting” which required you to sit perfectly still, no smiling or laughing or fun allowed. A judge would be appointed, who would glare at the contestants or make faces until somebody cracked. Somebody always cracked, of course, and great fun was had. What happens when Frankie and Sal attempt to sit quietly is illustrated with hilarious pictures that will have your audience laughing aloud.

Bored-Nothing To Do by Peter Spier c1978 by Doubleday

This book may be hard to find, if you see a used copy, snatch it up, because it is a treasure There are videos online of people reading it aloud, so there is free access to the story for your family available if your local library can’t find you a copy.

In the country, if one was bored during the summer vacation, your folks would tell you to go outside and stay out! There were trees to climb, maybe a brook to play in, forts to be built and defended, and plenty to do with a little imagination. Peter Spier tells the story of some bored but very imaginative children/ engineers who find a plane propeller in the barn and build themselves a flying machine. Readers will enjoy seeing all the found objects used in construction of a home made airplane. Better hide any propellers on your property.

Oh, Were They Ever Happy, by Peter Spier c1988 by Doubleday

Children left alone at home for a few hours on a slow Saturday afternoon just might decide to do some helpful chores….Like painting the house. How will the neighbors, and most importantly, the parents, react when they behold the colorful new house on the block? My 6 to 9-year-old listeners enjoyed seeing this project progress in each more wildly painted page.