Pickle: The Dog Who Loved to Read!
Pickle: The Dog Who Loved to Read!
Synopsis
Pickle: The Dog Who Loved to Read!
Book and Lyrics by Ellen Cooper Music by Joseph Seserko
Pickle, The Dog Who Loved to Read! is a new children’s musical about a dog who loves to read and a little girl who doesn’t. Every year on Mona Lisa’s “Gotcha Day” (the day she was adopted), she is allowed to choose a special gift. This time, she and her mom head to the local Humane Society where they discover a dog with an amazing talent – he can read! At first, Mona Lisa is thrilled with her new pal, showing him off to friends and even taking him to the library to get his very own library card. But things change as Mona Lisa watches her friends and their pets practice fantastic tricks and have amazing adventures while Pickle only wants to read. As Mona Lisa’s own struggles with reading are revealed, she begins to regret her decision about her new dog. Cast – 7 actors. Running time – 80 minutes. Full score and script available upon request.
Here is what some of our audience members had to say:
“My child hasn’t stopped singing the songs from Pickle and wants to know when we’ll go back.”
Mom – Seattle, WA
“ This is the first musical we’ve ever seen and we can’t wait to see more! – We love to Read!”
Syrian Family – Seattle, WA
“The issue of dyslexia was sensitively portrayed and the musical was fun! My child loved it!”
Parent – Hamlin Robinson School (a school specializing in teaching dyslexic students.)
For more information about Pickle: The Dog Who Loved to Read! please contact us.
Audio Clips
Why Pickle is Important
Imagine you cannot read a menu, fill out a job application or write a letter. If you are a student, each day is agony as you fall further behind, dreading the moment you are asked to read out loud. Your teacher says you just aren’t trying hard enough even though you are working twice as hard as the other kids. Your parents wonder what happened to their bright, happy child who couldn’t wait to start kindergarten. You begin missing school or acting out, doing anything to cover-up your inability to read. Eventually you might even decide to drop out of school altogether. This is the reality faced by those who struggle with a language-based learning difference or dyslexia. For many of us, reading is a joy, but for some of us it can be a frustrating and incomprehensible puzzle. Dyslexia affects approximately 15 – 20% of the population, yet often remains undiagnosed. It is our hope is that Pickle: The Dog Who Loved to Read! could provide one creative pathway to identify and explore the issue of dyslexia.Dyslexia Statistics
- An estimated 15-20% of the population has some type of dyslexia (language-based learning difference.)
- Dyslexia is highly heritable. Chances are that a parent, grandparents, aunt or uncle had dyslexia.
- Students with dyslexia are often very bright and creative, with excellent visual-spatial awareness and ability to see the big picture. However they often have difficulty putting their thoughts on paper.
- Many people with dyslexia have trouble navigating the world successfully. Those who don’t get the help they need may end up in juvenile detention centers or prisons as a result of challenges related to their dyslexia.
- Dyslexia frequently goes undiagnosed. No two people with dyslexia are exactly alike—there are commonalities, but each person’s experience is unique. Misconceptions abound about what it means to be dyslexic.
