RETAIL CHAIN PROMOTES THIRD BOOK OF YOUNG AUTHOR

Some kids give their mothers flowers for Mother's Day. Others give their moms candy. Still others bring their moms breakfast in bed and give them a great, big hug.

"No matter what happens on Mother's Day, one thing's for sure...kids thank their moms just for being mom every day of the year," says 12-year-old Tara Koosak.

Koosak, a published cartoonist and author from Cape Girardeau, wrote a book for her mom. "Mom's Got Style!" is the third book by the 12-year-old, sixth grader at Alma Schrader Elementary School. Koosak says her mom is "really special to me, and this book is dedicated to her."

"Mom's Got Style!" hits the book shelves today in all Venture stores, including Venture at West Park Mall. Her book will be given free to Venture customers with any purchase - as a Mother's Day promotion.

Koosak, daughter of Tony and Connie Koosak, is autographing her book today at a St. Louis County Venture. She will visit a Chicago, Ill. area Venture Store on May 8.

"I just love spending quality time with my mom," says Koosak, in one of the book's cartoons. "When kids are small and growing up they learn many things. Moms show kids all they need to know about what being grown up means."

Koosak hopes to write and illustrate other books and eventually create a syndicated cartoon strip. Meanwhile, she is busy with activities typical of her peers shopping, talking on the phone and going to parties. She also loves to read, especially books by her favorite authors, R. L. Stine and Linda Lewis.

"My life would be boring if I didn't know how to read," said Koosak. She is a strong advocate of reading for all children and credits her parents for getting her interested by reading to her as a young child and enrolling her in a summer reading program at the local library.

"Tara has channeled her creativity and time into something very positive, which makes her an excellent role model for other children," said Julian Seeherman, chairman and chief executive officer for Venture Stores, Inc. "We're happy to support her work because Venture and the American Library Association share a commitment to encourage reading among young people."

Koosak was in third grade when she wrote and illustrated her first book of cartoons entitled "School-Biz Is..." about kids and everyday happenings around school. Since writing her first book, Koosak has been a guest speaker at schools, clubs and libraries. She has participated in several book exhibitions, workshops and book autographing sessions.

Her second book, "Boy/Girl Daze Craze," offered a pre-teen's view of the love/hate relationship between boys and girls.

She has also appeared on national television shows, including the "Phil Donahue Show" and "To Tell the Truth." Other articles by Koosak have been featured in "Fun Times Magazine," a McDonald's Corporation publication, and "Art-I-Facts," an international educational newsletter.

She is a classroom reporter and cartoonist for her school newspaper. She says she gets ideas for her cartoons from school, spending time with her friends and other personal experiences, many of which she adapts for her books.