Dirt on My Shirt by Jeff Foxworthy, Steve Bjorkman (Illustrator)

From Barnes & Noble

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy doesn't claim to be smarter than a fifth grader, but by the evidence of this collection of hilarious poems, he does know how to keep them happy. With its homespun stories of Cousin Lizzy and Aunt Foo Foo, Dirt on My Shirt won't edify readers of Tennyson, but it doesn't matter; good-natured "redneck" Foxworthy obviously listens to a different drummer.

From the Publisher

In his bestselling picture book Dirt on My Shirt, Jeff Foxworthy warmed the hearts of kids both big and little. Now, in this I Can Read edition, poems have been hand selected for beginning readers to enjoy. From meeting Auntie Brooke and Uncle Keith to searching for tadpoles and snakes, young readers will love discovering Jeff's vibrant neighborhood all for themselves.

Filled to the brim with hilarious poems and beautiful art, this book is the perfect addition to any I Can Read library!

Publishers Weekly

The bestselling author of You Might Be a Redneck If... and the host of the TV show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?turns his hand to versifying with this innocuous collection of rhyming poems about ordinary childhood experiences: "I like to play and splash and sing/ When I take my bath/ But it's the bubbles that I make myself/ That always make me laugh!" The humor stays mild-mannered and stresses the bonds of friendship and family, as in "Friends," which begins, "Friends come in all colors/ And sizes and shapes/ Friends share their jump ropes/ And friends share their grapes." Björkman (Aliens for Breakfast) punches up the text with plentiful illustrations in a cheery cartoon style. "Friends," for example, pairs with a picture of a grinning cat and dog, dressed up like pirates and together carrying a small treasure chest. A poem about sitting in a grandfather's lap gains interest when Björkman envisions it taking place in a small fishing boat, grandpa and grandson napping, a huge fish just about to bite on their line. As a bonus, a note at the front challenges readers to find the 30 creatures depicted in the book's most lavishly illustrated poem, aptly titled "What Do You See?" Ages 4-7. (Mar.)

Children's Literature

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy writes poems about his Aunt Foo Foo, his cousins, his grandparents, and his friends, as well as other familiar childhood things, including dirt, deer, noises, fishing, and bubbles. Some of the poems take up a page and sometimes several fit on a page. Unfortunately, the poems fall a bit flat especially because they are paired with Bjorkman's whimsical illustrations. Steve Bjorkman's work has appeared on greeting cards for Recycled Paper Greetings, and they add much humor to many of the poems. The best illustration appears for the poem, "What Do You See?" Here, lots of creatures are hiding. A brief note in the front of the book asks a reader how many creatures can be found. The note comes with a humorous illustration about lemonade, so hopefully is not missed. This collection does not equal similar works by Jack Prelutsky or Shel Silverstein, but the poems do provide some smiles, especially to kindergartners and first grade students. The poems also show that even ordinary things can become topics for poetry. Reviewer: Elizabeth Fronk

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2- This contribution to the celebrity canon is by no means the worst, and Foxworthy's collection of light verse courts both fans of the comedian and their children. The brief poems are perfect for rote memorization assignments and cover familiar, kid-friendly topics like lost baseball hats and bubble baths. Björkman's artwork peppers every page with tykes and friendly suburban wildlife in perpetual states of pop-eyed delight. Alert readers may spot a note on the verso of the title that suggests an "I Spy"-esque hunt for images in the illustrations for the poem "What Do You See?" The suggestion looks and feels like an afterthought, buried as it is in fine print amid the bibliographic data. But never mind; this is still a respectable choice. Kudos to Foxworthy for his role in the production of an appealing, easy read.-Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

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