Gerald McBoing Boing

Gerald McBoing Boing doesn’t speak regular words, he instead mimics the sounds he hears. Gerald is made fun of at school, his parents are annoyed by him, and his teacher says he is helpless. I believe the big idea/message of this story is to show that the unique or different qualities you have are strengths. Gerald lands a spot on a radio station because of the sounds he makes. There are a few reasons why this book wasn't my favorite.The overall plot and theme of the story had a good message of embracing your uniqueness but throughout the story Gerald really wasn't accepted for his speech impairment until he became famous. "Now Gerald is rich, he has friends, hes well fed, cause he doesn't speak words, he goes BOING BOING instead!" I show more believe to show awareness on accepting all individuals it should be because of who they are inside, not because their famous. Also the characters in the story showed no support for Gerald, not even his parents, which I thought was very sad and discouraging. "It was then that his father said, "this is enough!" He'll drive us both mad with this terrible stuff!" but once Gerald is famous, "Now his parents, proud parents, are able to boast.." show less

When Gerald starts to speak, he makes noises like "Boing Boing," "Boom!," and "Clang Clang Clang!" instead of words. His parents and teacher are at their wits' end, and his peers tease the lonely boy. Just when Gerald feels the most dejected, he is met with an offer by the owner of a radio station to come in and make the sound effects for radio programming, catapulting him to fame.

Gerald McBoing Boing is a book based on the movie of the same name, written by Dr. Seuss. Having never seen the movie, I cannot make any comparisons between the two, but I can say that is a delightful book. If your young toddler/preschooler enjoyed all the sound effects of Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?, then your older child will love Gerald McBoing Boing, which show more adds some more story to the silly sounds.

The radio station reference may be a bit dated (as are the strict gender roles of Gerald's parents, although this is only obvious in the illustrations with a bit of 1950s knowledge), but this book stands the test of time well. Kids can still relate with the idea of being lonely or different at times, and the fact that Gerald overcomes this -- precisely by being exactly who he really is -- is always a nice message.

The illustrations are not by Dr. Seuss but by Mel Crawford. While you won't get the typical Seussical style, Crawford's illustrations are fun and lively as well as colorful, detailed, and making use of interesting perspectives.

Not only did I enjoy this title, but I read this book with my 4-year-old babysitting charge yesterday, who giggled over it and immediately wanted to hear it again! show less

Inside everyone is something special that they can do really well. Sometimes we are shunned for that specialness, sometimes we are praised for it. Fun story with a really great lesson to talk with kids about being proud of exactly who they are.

Published only briefly in book form and then made into an Academy Award-winning animated movie in 1951, Gerard McBoing Boing is about a little boy who is ostracized by his family, friends, and school, because he makes sounds instead of words. He decides to run away, because he feels so different and alone. A radio announcer discovers Gerard’s talents and hires him because of his unique sound-making abilities. I had never heard about this book until a recent trip to the public library. What a fun story with a great message about the opportunity for everyone to be successful in life…

Gerald McBoing Boing will quickly get children's attention. For a boy that can only make noises life is hard, until one day his luck turns around. Children can learn not to give up from this book. They can also learn about the importance of being nice to others and how not doing so can hurt the other person. This book is primarily for younger children, but just like any Dr. Seuss book, any age can enjoy it.

Another great resource for teaching onomatopoeia. FUN read aloud!

This is a cute book talking about how a little boy by the name of Gerald is different from all around. Gerald never talked like you and I, for he made noises instead. From the time he was a baby till he was in school, Gerald was pushed away for being so different. He was going to run away to a place where he felt wanted until a strange man stoped him. Gerald was quickly hired for his talent is noise making. He then became famous, had a group of friends and never had to say anything but noises.