Bing Bang Boing

Bibliography

Florian, Douglas. Bing Bang Boing. San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1994. 978-0152058609

Review

Douglas Florian parallels opposing subjects for a larger impact for example placing “The Thin Man” and “The Fat Man” on adjacent pages. The rhythm for most poems is steady such as the bouncing words on either side of the page in “Ping-Pong Poem” and the reference to the metronome.

Sounds are an important part of Florian's poetry with the display of consonance in “I Friz, I Froze” on pg. 78 using “earz”, “ize”, “noze”, “toze”, and “kneez”. Rhyming in “Lost Head” brings a lightness to the words, with “head” and “instead” or “all” and “basketball”. On page 113 the poem “Rain Check” uses clear and distinct alliteration such as “My sister Sarah's Sixth birthday”.

Personification is seen throughout Florian's poems and these instances are a unique way of creating entertaining literature that comes alive through the reader.”Cars are Creatures” on pg. 111 personifies the car as an animal as it is seen “guzzling gas, growling”, and sleeping when parked. Other poems use comparisons like similes to create vivid images for the audience. “It's as wrinkled as a rhino” and “It's as hairy as a hound” from “The Monster in My Mirror” helps to stimulate visual imagery in the reader.

Other imagery is seen throughout “Bing, Bang, Boing” such as touch in “It's Hot! It's Hot!” or in juxtaposition of this, “I Friz, I Froze”. When writing about eating beetles, lizards, and dragons in “Diet Riot”, Douglas Florian brings out the sense of sound by writing “Crunch Crunch Crunch.” It completely brings the poem full circle and gives the reader an icky feeling but also a bit of a grin. The emotional impact of this set of poems is lighthearted, silly, and fun. A wonderful book of poetry for all readers of any age.

Poem & Connection

My Monster

I saw a monster

Ghastly and green.

I saw a monster

Nasty and mean.

I saw a monster,

A horrible creature.

That’s no monster –

That’s my teacher!

(Florian, p. 132)

This poem could be used on the first day or week of school as it brings comic relief to those that may have been worrisome about starting a new school year or having a different teacher. Students could discuss fears of starting school and meeting their teacher and what the first day was truly like compared to their fears.