FIRST-GRADERS VISITED BY CURIOUS GEORGE

SCOTT CITY -- Students at Scott City Schools monkeyed around this week when Curious George came to visit.

Curious George, a mischievous monkey popularized by children's authors Margret and H.A. Reys, greeted elementary students in Shelby McCord's first-grade classroom.

Sophomore Tara Stamp read to the students while senior Regina Hagen, as George, acted out antics in "Curious George Goes to the Circus."

In the story, George climbed a rope ladder to try his hand at acrobatics. As Hagen re-enacted the story, George landed on the floor to the sound of 19 children laughing loudly.

"He's funny," said one boy sitting on the front row.

"He's shy," said another between giggles.

The students usually read a story every day but Curious George stories are popular, McCord said, adding that the students have been bringing books from home to be read.

After leaving the classroom, Curious George and his pal roamed the hallways of the school greeting students and teachers.

"The high school kids get as big a kick out of this as the elementary," Hagen said.

Elementary students also wore the monkey suit and greeted students each day as they boarded school buses.

The activities were part of the Scholastic Book Fair being held at the elementary school this week.

"It's the first time we tried to get a costume," said elementary-school librarian Loretta Templeton.

Curious George isn't the only character who visits schools; others are Franklin, a turtle, and Ms. Frizzle, the teacher in the "Magic School Bus" series.

But Clifford the Big Red Dog is the most popular, Templeton said, adding that his costume even has a waiting list.

The school usually hosts three book fairs annually for its students. Admission to the fair is free and the proceeds will help purchase new books and materials for the school.