"Gerald McBoing Boing" Review

Gerald McBoing Boing

Author: Dr. Seuss

Pictures adapted by Mel Crawford

 Publisher: Random House, New York

Copyright: 1950

 ISBN: 0-679-89140-4

Accelerated Reader Book, reading level 3.5

(Based on the Academy Award-winning motion picture by Dr. Seuss)

I LOVE this book!!  Of course, Dr. Seuss books are always great, but this one reminds me of my daughter when she was little.  She would make some of the silliest noises and I always wondered if she would ever talk!   Unlike Gerald McCloy in the story she finally did develop this ability!

When Gerald McCloy was little he would never talk, just make noises like"boing boing", "boom", "cuckoo" and "honk".  His parents called in the doctor, but he said he couldn't  help.  When they sent him to school the teacher sent him back with a note.  

Poor George doesn't have any friends and he even annoys his father.  So he runs away from home.  He then meets someone that likes all his noises and offers him a job!

"Your GONG is terrific,

Your toot is inspired

Quick come to BONG-BONG-BONG

McBoing Boing-you're hired!"

With quirky, retro looking illustrations and fun, rhyming text his story will be enjoyed by many ages.

Both of my children really enjoyed listening to this story.  So thumbs up from all of us!

*I wrote this years ago, but didn't publish it.

Review by Christy F. @ PrincessPinkk's Ponderings.

"Quick as a Cricket" Review

Quick as a Cricket

Author: Audrey Woods

Illustrator: Don Woods

 Publisher: Child's Play

Copyright: 1982

 ISBN: 0-85953-151-1

Accelerated Reader Book, reading level1.7

Through the use of simple text, with six words per page, the little boy describes himself using 22 different similes.  

"I'm as quick as a cricket, 

I'm as slow as a snail, 

I'm as small as an ant, 

I'm as large as a whale."  

In the end you,  

"Put it all together, and you've got ME!"

The colored pencil illustrations are full of color and detail depicting the boy as he is described on each page.

This book would be a great intro to a lesson on similes, or if you were having the chilren write about themselves.  The book is also a great way to talk about different feelings. (sad, happy, nice,  mean, tough, gentle, brave, shy, tame, lazy, busy)

I started reading this book to my daughter when she was around two and a half.  She loved it.  I think the illustrations pulled her in and it was a chance to discuss different creatures that you don't always see in fiction books (snail, lark, ox, clam, rhino, shrimp).

I love a book that is so versatile, that tells a story, but can be used for teaching a variety of things:  similes, animals, feelings.  I think this book can be enjoyed by many.

*this was written years ago, but I didnt publish it.

Review by Christy F. @ PrincessPinkk's Ponderings.

"Dinosaur Train" Review

Dinosaur Train

Author: Steven Gurney

Illustrator: Steven Gurney

 Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers

Copyright:2002

 ISBN: 0-06-029245-8

Accelerated Reader Book, reading level 1.0

This simple little book is a favorite of my son, Jake's.  Any book with a train in it ranks pretty high up there for Jake!

Jesse the main character in this story loves trains and dinosaurs.  He gets to take an unexpected ride on a train that is filled with dinosaurs.  What a dream for him!  The illustrations are bright and colorful.  The dinosaurs have human characteristics, wearing clothes, reading the newspaper and eating hamburgers. 

After going through a tunnel they come around the curve and see a volcano.  (My son also loves volcanoes, so this was a special page in the book for him.)  All the dinosaurs lean over to see the volcano and the train falls over.  Using team work the dinosaurs and Jesse all help to right the train.

This is a quick read that is sure to entertain most boys, especially if they like trains and dinosaurs!

*this was written years ago, buy I never published it.

Review by Christy F. @ PrincessPinkk's Ponderings.