Kids Like Foxworthy Book

Michelle E. Shaw - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Apr 03, 2008

Monday morning started off with a laugh for a group of Manning Oaks Elementary students as they listened to Jeff Foxworthy read from his first children's book, "Dirt on My Shirt."

The Alpharetta comedian appeared at the school to film a promotional piece for "Georgia Read More," a state Department of Education literacy initiative. The project is done in collaboration with several businesses and organizations, including Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Foxworthy joins a list of more than a dozen writers and well-known Georgians who have taped readings for the program. Parents, teachers and students can view the finished product on the Web after it is edited. The state's 1,200 elementary schools also get a DVD of the taping.

Past readers include former President Jimmy Carter; Leah Ward-Sears, chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court; Braves pitcher John Smoltz and author Ashley Bryan.

"Dirt on My Shirt," Foxworthy's 26th book, was an immediate hit with the third-, fourth- and fifth-graders who participated in the taping.

"I just love the rhymes in the book," said Lauren Stewart, 10. "There was also a lot of poetry."

Lauren said she hopes to get a copy soon. But to make the author happy, she will have to read the book more than once.

"I wanted to write a book kids want to read again and again," Foxworthy said. "And even though this group was a little above the age level I was targeting, they were great! They really seemed to enjoy it."

DeVonte Odom, 11, said if he gets a copy, he'll read it as many times as he can.

"I liked the comedy in it," he said. "You never want to read a book and then go, 'Where's the excitement?'"

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