Silly Street »

Jeff Foxworthy is one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country. He is the largest-selling comedy-recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy^® Award nominee, and bestselling author of more than twenty-three books, including the New York Times bestselling Dirt on My Shirt. He hosts the hit television show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? and his syndicated weekly radio show, The Foxworthy Countdown, is carried in more than 220 markets across the United States.

A trip to Silly Street is just the thing for any kid with a case of the sillies. With its endless selection of merriments—including unusual pets, wacky hats, balloon rides, bubble gum–chewing crows, and more—it's the perfect place for expressing your zany side and laughing out loud.

These fourteen poems, hand selected from Jeff Foxworthy's popular Silly Street, will tickle new readers who are ready to read themselves to silliness and back again.

Children's Literature

"Sometimes you're silly/And you know that it's true./When you're feeling that way,/There are things you can do." Thus, this famous comedian-author freely offers another rib-tickling romp through rhythm and rhyme while delightfully animated characters fill every page. Although geared for younger readers, everyone who picks up the book will keep turning pages wanting more of Foxworthy's wit and humor. Poems cover all sorts of topics, locations and emotions as Silly Street is explored. Many are quite short and would be great fun to memorize and act out. The longest poem is five stanzas long, but short lines make swift recitations possible. Each one is excellent for read-aloud—no matter the audience. As the reader or listener discovers ways to continue the silliness, various characters pop out on Silly Street with their ever unique ways. Whether one has a yen for hats or pancakes or goats, or prefers other topics, there are no disappointments here There are also flowers, marbles, balloons, petting zoo, merry-go-round, sandbox, popsicles and tree house. Sound fairly normal? Might boredom set in after a few minutes? Not likely. Why, it is "Boo Boo McGrew" at the petting zoo where there is an ostrich to ride, a pig that flips on a trampoline and a cow that calmly declares, "Quack!" Find lost or unusual marbles at Mister Mark's Marble Store. At the "House of Clocks," things might be confusing since Mel only sells socks. He simply explains, "Socks are the thing/That makes the world sing,/'Cause they're warm and keep/Your feet from stinking!" There is much more to discover during a whimsical jaunt along Silly Street. Find "Pigeon Lady," "Hats and Halos," "Pogostick Pete," "Sweet Tooth,""Daily Parade," "Bubble Gum Tree," and "Perpetual Puddle." Teachers might engage students with language arts fundamentals using this book, of course, but there are unlimited ways to incorporate language using a variety of poems in content areas. As mentor text, writing prompts, dramatic expressions, short humor breaks, welcome distractions or buddy reading, children and adults will want to return to Silly Street over and over again. Reviewer: Susan Treadway, M.Ed