A collection of poems, quotations, and excerpts from fiction and nonfiction on the topic of boys playing outdoors and growing up, richly illustrated.

In Growing Up Country: Memories of an Iowa Farm Girl, Carol Bodensteiner tells the stories of a happy childhood growing up on a family-owned dairy farm in the middle of America in the 1950s, a time when a family could make a good living on 180 acres.

Becoming a Country Boy By: Larry E. Elliott Becoming a Country Boy describes the experiences of a boy, who lived in the city, but learned, after spending time on his grandparent’s farm, he loved farm life. He loved playing in the fields, playing with the farm animals, fishing in his grandfather’s pond and living in the farm house. He learned the difference between city words and farm terms. He learned fun in the city does not compare to fun on the farm. Read the book and see how a city boy becomes a country boy.

From Growing Up Country: “I learned early in life that country is not a place on a map. Country is a place in your heart. In your soul. In the very depth of your being.” —Bill Anderson “One of the things I like most about country life is that nothing much has really changed . . . My grandchildren and I are still walking and hunting in the same woods and fishing in the same creeks as I did with my father.” —President Jimmy Carter “Food was at the heart of our home. And, other than those troublesome vegetables, I loved all of it. We fried everything—we’d have even fried water if we could’ve.” —Keith Anderson “I can’t imagine what my life would have been without peaceful days, mountain streams, homegrown and home-cooked food, country church, and all-day singing with dinner on the grounds with family and friends.” —Dolly Parton “Growing up country—there’s nothing like it. It’s growing up with your grandmother and granddaddy around . . . it’s a lot of love when you need it, great cooking in the kitchen, and always being real.” —Eddie Montgomery Blackberry pie on the window ledge. The Grand Ole Opry on the radio. Sunday dinners on the table. Families swinging on the front porch after a hard day’s work. It’s all part of the country way of life. Here, legendary country music singer Charlie Daniels introduces and edits a collection of heartfelt essays from an all-star cast of contributors on what it means to grow up country. United by a love of music, these notables show us that country means more than just the twang of a guitar. They share a belief in hard work, integrity, strength of character, and having the courage not to quit. The stories here tell of rustic upbringings and rich spirits, of parents who believed in tough love and old-fashioned common sense, and of a strong sense of community, pride in your country, and a love of the natural world. You’ll get an intimate glimpse into the lives of: Country music royalty and all-time greats: such as Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Brenda Lee, Dobie Gray, and Lee Greenwood Southern rock gods: such as Gary Rossington and Donnie Van Zant The newest crop of stars: such as Sara Evans, Toby Keith, and Clint Black Special guests: such as former president Jimmy Carter, and seven-time all around rodeo champion Ty Murray These snapshots show how living country has allowed our favorite singers, songwriters, and stage performers to make a career out of doing what they love while never forgetting that when you’ve grown up country, home isn’t just a place where you live, it’s a state of the heart.

Coming Up a Country Boy is not an autobiography, nor does Gresham consider it his memoirs. Rather, he says, it is a collection of recollections, some in chronological order, others not. The essays chronicle impressions various folks made on Gresham and, in some cases, the effect those impressions had on his life. Some entertained, some molded character, some irritated; but all were interesting.

A story about growing up a country boy in America in the 1930's and 40's.

Popular country music superstar Clay Walker talks about Jesus and the simple, grassroots faith that He inspired. Clay Walker's hit single “Jesus Was a Country Boy” resonated with people fed up with slick preachers driving luxury cars and church sanctuaries as big as football fields. That’s not what Jesus was all about. Like the country boy next door, Jesus modeled a grassroots faith. He was born in a barn and fished for his dinner. He hung out with lowlifes and sinners. He came not for the rich and powerful, but for the good old boys and country gals. Drawing from his own humble beginnings, Clay explores the ways Jesus spoke to good old-fashioned country folk: Jesus knew where he came from and he knew where he was going. He knew how to treat people, but he wasn’t afraid of a fight. He knew how to have a good time, and he loved to surprise people. And, like any good country boy, he knew about heartbreak. Ultimately, Jesus came to love and show that knowing His father is as free and easy as a summer breeze on a front-porch swing. If you want to find God, then it’s time to lose religion and meet a country boy from Bethlehem.