CHILDREN'S AUTHOR TO VISIT PERRYVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PERRYVILLE -- Children's author Kristin Joy Pratt of St. Louis will visit Perryville Elementary School today.

The visit is part of a business-education partnership between the school and the Perryville McDonald's restaurant. The yearlong program is called "Great Authors -- Great Literature."

Three authors are scheduled to visit the school throughout the year. The first author, Larry Schles, visited about two months ago.

Pratt will give five presentations Friday to students in kindergarten through fourth grade. She is the author of two books: "A Walk in the Rainforest" and "A Swim through the Sea." Both are environmental awareness books for children.

"Environmental awareness at a very early age is the key to preserving our world," Pratt said in a press release. "When young children gain a knowledge and respect for nature, they in turn love and protect it."

The school staff and students will support the St. Louis Ronald McDonald House as part of the partnership. The Ronald McDonald House provides lodging for families of seriously ill children visiting St. Louis area hospitals.

During the next four months, the classes will collect pennies in a miniature house. The class, which collects the most pennies, will win a hamburger party. Each class will also participate in a bookmark contest. The theme is, "What does the Ronald McDonald House mean to me?"