Sue Bhatti's second grade class at Goshen Elementary had a lot to celebrate Monday afternoon.

When Southside Baptist Church Pastor Bo Weed visited Bhatti's class in March for Dr. Seuss's Birthday, he challenged the students to read enough books in April to earn 65 Accelerated Reader points in exchange for a pizza party.

"Reading has so many rewards," Bhatti said.

"It's fun to do something like this."

On Monday, Weed was there as promised with a stack of pizza boxes.

The class had earned a total of 73 points.

"They were very much aware of points we had," Bhatti said.

"The kids have really gotten into it."

They didn't only celebrate their reading achievements, however.

Earlier in the semester, Bhatti and her class read the book "Flat Standing."

It was about a little boy who was smashed flat by bulletin board, so his parents folded him up, put him in an envelope and mailed him on an adventure.

As she does every year, Bhatti had her students make their own Flat Standing and mailed them to various well-known leaders.

Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas was one of the recipients and he was there for the pizza party to talk to the students about his job.

One Flat Standing made it all the way to Washington, D.C. and landed in the hands of Laura Bush.

The First Lady sent back a letter and pictures telling the children what she and Flat Standing had done.

He helped her feed the dogs, Spot and Barney, and Willie the cat.

He also joined the First Lady and Pres. Bush for breakfast, attended a staff meeting and visited the library.

Bhatti said Flat Standing is a good learning tool for the students.

"Year before last the University of Alabama President took it to Italy with him over spring break," she said.

"We got pictures of him at places all over the country.

The children have so much fun with it."

Last year, Alabama's First Lady Lori Siegelman responded by visiting the classroom.