Adapted from the poem by Bruce Lansky in Miles of Smiles, published by Meadowbrook Press.

Summary: A child tries to decide which pet to buy.

Presentation Suggestions: Let your students read or perform the poem in class. Tell them to act out the different lines while they read them.

Props: A pet (like a dog or a cat) would be a great prop for the poem. However, if you don't allow pets in the classroom, the poem can be read without them. You could also use stuffed animals.

Delivery: The lines of the poem should be read with poetic rhythm For more information on poetic rhythm and how to perform poetry in your class, please read the Performing Poetry section of our site.

Characters:
Child
Dad

My New Pet

Child:

I asked my father for a pet.
he said:

Dad:

I'll take you shopping.

Child:

My father took me to a store
where animals were hopping.
He asked me:

Dad:

Which one would you like?

Child:

So I picked out a puppy,
a parakeet, a rabbit,
plus a gerbil and a guppy

I also picked a monkey
and a yellow Siamese cat,
a turtle, snake, and lizard,
plus a very big white rat.

My dad said:

Dad:

If you want a pet,
then you will have to feed it.

Child:

Instead, I picked a storybook.
I cannot wait to read it.

© 1998 by Bruce Lansky. Adapted from the poem " My New Pet " from Miles of Smiles, published by Meadowbrook Press. This classroom theater play version of " My New Pet " is © 1999 by Meadowbrook Press.

Click the cover for more information or to buy the book.

Permission is given for individual school classes to perform this play and to make as many copies of the play as are needed for the students' use. All other reproduction and performance is prohibited under penalty of law. For use of this play outside individual classes, please contact info@meadowbrookpress.com for permission.

Click here to learn more about Bruce Lansky.