It takes a tuned-in dad to realize that the kids cereal Cap'n Crunch can inspire genius in a group of 9-year-olds.

Jason Cook, 34, of Emsworth was one of 97 men who accepted an invitation from his daughter's school, Avonworth Elementary in the Avonworth School District, to participate in a Read Across America event called Men of Avonworth on March 2. Read Across America is a nationwide annual effort marking Dr. Seuss's birthday and is designed to encourage children to read and write. School districts hold reading-related events and host guest readers.

A restaurant manager with a passion for reading and poetry, Mr. Cook said, "I wanted students to know you can write a poem about anything."

He read Shel Silverstein's "Peanut Butter Sandwich," explained elements of poetry such as alliteration and hyperbole, and enlisted the jolly Cap'n to inspire the class to write a group poem using those elements.

"They came up with things like 'crazy crunches' and 'as golden as sun treasure,' " he said.

Male role models including brothers, fathers, grandfathers, uncles and family friends -- with occupations as varied as weatherman, warehouse employee, surgeon and professional athlete -- also shared their love of reading. Many others who couldn't attend asked permission to read on another day. Avonworth Elementary has 736 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The Men of Avonworth event was the brainchild of Avonworth para-educator Beth Yovetich of Kilbuck Township. While planning Read week activities with Title 1 reading teachers, Mrs. Yovetich, 42, suggested inviting men to read.

"Usually, moms come in, and kids in general don't get to see the males in their life read as much," she said. "It's important to give boys good role models for reading."

She cited a 2009 National Assessment of Education Progress study that found that female students consistently score higher than male students on average in reading and writing, and boys are less likely to read as a leisure activity.

Bill Tomer, 49, of Ben Avon said his wife has always assumed classroom reading duty, but he enjoyed it so much he plans to return. Mr. Tomer read his favorite childhood book, "Miss Suzy" by Miriam Young, to a group of squirming second-graders that included his beaming daughter, Paige.

"For my job, I have to read all the time, every day, to keep up with changing information," he told the class, "and we read a lot for fun at home."

Dennis Marn, a veteran classroom reader, read to his daughter, Julia's, friends and told them, "Reading is about putting yourself in the position of the main character and becoming part of the adventure."

The men opened the floor for discussion after reading. They read favorite age-appropriate books, magazine articles, poems or other selections. They were encouraged to tell students how reading influenced their lives.

Some men chose books related to their own interests.

Avonworth third grade support teacher Joe Donovic, a master gardener from Moon, read books about gardening and distributed wildflower seed packets.

For first grade, he chose "City Green," about a girl who turns an empty lot into a garden. "It's something the kids can role model." For fifth grade, he read the first chapter of the eco-conscious novel "Hoot."

"Maybe they'll get hooked," he said.

A Hardy Boys fan as a child, he brought the classic mystery novels to show kids he never lost his childhood love for reading.

"It's important that boys see that reading doesn't have to be a chore. It's not always for content or information," Mrs. Yovetich said.

Perhaps no guest reader understood that better than father-of-four John Schriefer. Mr. Schriefer, 47, of Emsworth, a marketing executive, braved a roomful of rowdy kindergartners to read "Walter the Farting Dog" by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray.

The title alone sent peals of laughter through the room, and Mr. Schriefer gamely entertained questions ("Did you know my cat died?"), comments ("I have a fish and its tongue hangs out"), and yes, demonstrations of Walter's affliction.

"It's great to be see kids in their school environment," Mr. Schriefer said.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.