"Green Eggs and Ham" Re-imagined

"Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss is one of my favorite contemporary picture books.  I just can't get it out of my head...which is why I re-imagined it in a Pittsburgh setting, with pierogies replacing the green eggs and ham.  Read this out loud to your child, because reading stories and hearing rhymes are helpful for children because it helps promote early literacy and attention.  Or, have your child read this to you to practice reading skills, articulation, stuttering strategies, voice strategies, etc.  I would love to add some pictures to this when I have more time.

Image retrieved from http://www.roadtripsrus.com/2013/10/09/pedaling-pierogies-national-pierogi-day/.

I am Suzy Zees.

I am Suzy Zees.

Suzy Zees – that’s me.

That Suzy Zees

That Suzy Zees!

I do not like

that Suzy Zees!

Do you like

pierogies?

I do not like them,

Suzy Zees.

I do not like

pierogies.

Would you like them

outside or in?

I would not like them

outside or in.

I would not like them

for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like

pierogies.

I do not like them,

Suzy Zees.

Would you like them

in Station Square?

Would you like them

with a bear?

I do not like them

in Station Square.

I do not like them

with a bear.

I do not like them

outside or in.

I do not like them

for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like peirogies.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

Would you eat them

in Schenley Park?

Would you eat them

with a shark?

Not in Schenley Park

Not with a shark.

Not in Station Square.

Not with a bear.

I would not eat them outside or in.

I would not eat them for breakfast, lunch, or din-din.

I would not eat pierogies.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

Would you? Could you?

On a cruise?

Taste them! Taste them!

You can’t lose!

I would not ,

could not,

on a cruise.

You may enjoy them.

You will see.

You may like them

on the T?

I would not, could not on the T.

Not on a cruise! You leave me be.

I do not like them in Schenley Park.

I do not like them with a shark.

I do not like them in Station Square.

I do not like them with a bear.

I do not like them outside or in.

I do not like them for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like piergoies.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

A run! A run!

A run! A run!

Could you, would you

while on a run?

Not on a run! Not on the T!

Not on a cruise! Suzy! Leave me be!

I would not, could not, in Schenley Park.

I could not, would not, with a shark.

I will not eat them with a bear.

I will not eat them in Station Square.

I will not eat them outside or in.

I will not eat them for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

Hey!

In the river?

Here in the river?

Would you, could you, in the river?

I would not, could not,

in the river.

Would you, could you,

in the sun?

I would not, could not, in the sun.

Not in the river.  Not on a run,

Not in on a cruise.  Not on the T.

I do not like them, Suzy, you see.

Not in Station Square.  Not in Schenley Park.

Not with a bear.  Not with a shark.

I will not eat them outside or in.

I do not like them for breakfast, lunch or din-din!

You do not like

pierogies?

I do not

like them,

Suzy Zees.

Could you, would you,

with a feline?

I would not,

could not.

with a feline!

Would you, could you,

on the incline?

I could not, would not, on the incline.

I will not, will not, with a feline

I will not eat them in the sun.

I will not eat them on a run.

Not in the river! Not on the T!

Not on a cruise! You leave me be!

I do not like them in Schenley Park.

I do not like them with a shark.

I will not eat them in Station Square.

I do not like them with a bear.

I do not like them outside or in.

I do not like them for BREAKFAST, LUNCH or DIN-DIN!

I do not like

pierogies!

I do not like them,

Suzy-Zees.

You do not like them.

SO you yell.

Taste them! Taste them!

And you may tell.

Taste them and you may tell I yell.

Suzy!

If you will let me go,

I will taste them.

You will know.

Hey!

I like pierogies!

I do!! I like them, Suzy Zees!

And I would eat them on the incline!

And I would eat them with a feline.

And I will eat them in the sun.

And in the river.  And on a run.

And on a cruise.  And on the T.

They are so yummy, so yummy you see!

So I will eat them in Schenley Park.

And I will eat them with a shark.

And I will eat them in Station Square.

And I will eat them with a bear.

And I will eat them outside and in.

Hey! I will eat them for breakfast, lunch and din-din!

I do so enjoy

pierogies!

Thank you!

Thank you,

Suzy Zees!

It's snowing, it's storming: An Ode to Pittsburgh Winters

The nursery rhyme "It's raining, it's pouring" is thought to have originated in England as an ode to the country's rainy weather.  Here is a variation I wrote as an ode to Pittsburgh's recent snowy weather this winter.  I recommend singing it to the same tune.  Nursery rhymes are especially helpful for children because they build awareness of sounds and language, promote pre-literacy skills, and encourage social interaction.

It's snowing, it's storming,
Jack Frost gave us a warning:
Turn up the heat, wear socks on your feet,
Or you'll be cold in the morning!

A Pittsburgh nursery rhyme

I wrote this Pittsburgh-themed nursery rhyme for Pittsburghers young and old.  Nursery rhymes are helpful for the pediatric population because they promote early literacy. 

10 little panthers escaped from Pittsburgh Zoo,

Went into the city, to them it was all new.

They ran up and down the streets and the mayor said,

“All you panthers, go back to bed!”

9 little panthers, roaming in the dark,

Went to play baseball, at PNC Park.

They tossed the ball ‘til the umpire yelled,

“Get off the field, or you’ll all be expelled!”

8 little panthers, took the Duquesne Incline,

Going to Mt. Washington, to check out the skyline.

They pushed and they shoved while trying to see,

The conductor “tsk-ed tsk-ed” and said “Woe is me!”

7 little panthers, went to shop on Walnut Street,

Thought they’d buy shoes, to wear upon their feet.

Their paws were all sticky, their claws were a mess,

The manager cried, “I’m in such distress!”

6 little panthers started across Smithfield Bridge,

They decided to be daredevils and walked along the ledge.

Wanting to show off, they all took a dive,

The policeman shouted, “You’re lucky to be alive!”

5 little panthers strode into the Carnegie Museum,

They heard that there were paintings, and wanted to go see ‘em.

But the panthers got tired, they slept and they snored,

The curator nudged them, but him they ignored.

4 little panthers went to the Benedum Center,

They paid their admission and were permitted to enter.

They sang and they danced, they swung from chandeliers,

Called the opera singer, “Let’s give them three cheers!”

3 little panthers, walked over to the O,

They wanted a snack they could eat on the go.

Gobbling hot dogs and French fries and pizzas and more,

The cook screamed, “Get out, or I’ll show you the door!”

Two little panthers found a classroom at Pitt,

They wanted to learn, so they stayed just a bit.

They studied, took notes, gave the professor a look,

He joked, “You’re so smart, get out your checkbook!”

One little panther, alone on the bus,

Missing his siblings, he started to fuss.

He bought a transfer, got onto the T,

He went back home, to his family.

His brothers and sisters, his parents, too,

Welcomed him home, back at the zoo.

The zookeeper smiled, then shook his head,

“All you panthers, go back to bed!”

Rhyming

Rhyming is important for children because it is a pre-literacy skill as it promotes awareness of sounds.  See what rhymes your child can create.  For example:

Bush: push

Roots: boots

Can: fan.

Cue your child to pay attention to the end sounds of the word.

Rhyming words can also provide practice for articulation of end sounds.