Read Out Loud


Read these poems out loud. Click ‘open’ to read one.

Hummingbird Rest open

Hummingbird, hummingbird, come visit me!
Hummingbird, hummingbird, come down from the tree!
I’m right here by the feeder that’s red.
It’s filled with sweet water so you can be fed.
Just whir on in and take a long drink.
That’s it! Now, what must you think
as you little-mouse squeak before each dip
of your black needle beak that takes the sip?

Hummingbird, hummingbird, come visit me!
Hummingbird, hummingbird, what do you see?
You hover not more than a small hand away
and look straight at me as if to say:
“So you feed me and watch me, well that’s okay,
but don’t expect more, don’t expect me to stay.”
Then you buzz to a branch and land for a rest.
Stay as long as you like. You’re my favorite guest!

JC Sulzenko


Name Game Skipping Song open

Marta, Marta, do you like your name?
Marta, Marta, will you play our game?
If you could change your name, what would it be?
Shamira? Shamira? With syllables three!

Jasmine, Jasmine, do you like your name?
Jasmine, Jasmine, will you play our game?
If you could change your name, what would it be?
George? Georgie? For a boy or girl! Really!

Michel, Michel, do you like your name?
Michel, Michel, will you play our game?
If you could change your name, what would it be?
Yuri? Yuri? Let’s climb that giant tree!

Benji, Benji, do you like your name?
Benji, Benji, will you play our game?
If you could change your name, what would it be?
Just Ben. Just Ben. That’s simple and easy.

Alexa, Alexa, do you like your name?
Alexa, Alexa, will you play our game?
If you could change your name, what would it be?
You like your name? That end’s the game for me.

JC Sulzenko


A Parrot open

Oh to be a parrot!
Sure there’s a brain in your head,
but you only need to use it
when words must be said.
With feathers bright and colourful
and beak so sharp and strong,
wouldn’t it be wonderful
if you could sing a song?

From Fat poems Tall poems Long poems Small

JC Sulzenko


Penguins open

Looks like there’s one
Oops! There’s another
Oh my –
the whole ice field’s full

In tuxedos – like going to
Some fancy dress ball

Or perhaps these penguins play
in an orchestra and
we cannot recognize
their symphony

From Fat poems Tall poems Long poems Small

JC Sulzenko


If I Had a Dog... open

There once was a dog
who was brown and furry.
He had red eyes and
big feet in a hurry.
He’d run circles around
when he’d hear a sound
Needed glasses – his vision was blurry!

From Fat poems Tall poems Long poems Small

JC Sulzenko


From Boot Crazy open

For the twins second birthday, Grandma sent them each
bright green rubber boots and bouncing balls for the beach.

Through puddles and splashes, with sploshes and squishes,
they wore them under rainbows and made happy wishes.

They wore them like crazy the whole summer through,
well into the fall and before the snow flew.

From Boot Crazy

JC Sulzenko