TEN-YEAR-OLD AUTHOR APPEARS ON TV SHOW; CAPE YOUNGSTER APPEARS ON MONDAY `TO TELL THE TRUTH'

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A letter to producers of television show "To Tell the Truth" landed 10-year-old Tara Koosak a spot on the program.

Tara, a 10-year-old fourth grade student at Alma Schrader School, wrote and illustrated a book of cartoons called "School Biz Is...," which was published in May.

The program featuring her is scheduled to air Monday on WPSD Channel 6.

Tara's mother, Connie Koosak, explained that several months ago she sent a letter to the "To Tell the Truth" program with information about Tara and her book. She sent letters to several television programs.

"I really didn't think any more about it," she said.

Producers from the show called and talked to Koosak and Tara, inviting Tara to appear on the show just a few days later.

"We thought we would have to pay for our trip," Koosak said. "But they paid for everything and even gave us spending money."

Tara and her mother left Cape Girardeau Dec. 14. A limousine met them at the Los Angeles airport and took them to the Mark Goodson Productions offices.

"To Tell the Truth" is a revival of the game show where panelists attempt to guess which of three guests is telling the truth. Two impostors try to fool them.

Tara met her impostors and discussed her book with them so they would have some information to perhaps mislead the panel.

"They don't say lie," Tara said. "The impostors were told they should just pretend to be me for five minutes."

"The impostors couldn't pronounce my name at first," she continued. "They had to practice."

The show was taped Dec. 15 at the NBC studios in Burbank.

Lynn Swan, a former professional football player, is host of the show.

On the panel during Tara's show were TV producer David Nevin Jr., actress Polly Bergen, actress Kristine Hahn and actor Orson Bean.

Tara said the panelists asked questions about how the book was published and how many copies were printed.

"I was a little nervous at first, but it wasn't too scary," Tara said.

Tara was instructed by show producers not to reveal the outcome of the show before it airs.

This is the third national television show Tara has appeared on. She was previously on "What's Hot? What's Not!" and "Puttin' on the Kids."

Tara published her "School Biz Is ..." book in May 1990. A second edition of the book is scheduled to be available in February or March with four pages added. Two pages include letters from children to the School Biz characters. The other two pages contain comments or questions from children about their lives.

A distribution company now handles the book in the Midwest, and Koosak said a national distribution company is considering the book.

She is working on a second book called "Boy Girl Daze Craze," featuring the same characters from the first book.

Tara has also created a game to go along with her book. Her mother said the game is now being considered by a game agent. If accepted by the agent, he will attempt to interest a toy company.

As a result of the book, Tara has been asked to talk about her experience. She was a guest speaker at a Writer's Guild meeting in Cape Girardeau and has spoke to several area classes.

"I talk about how I got the book published and about how I wrote it. I also talk about copyrights and trademarks," she said.

Her mother added, "Tara loves school and she loves to read and write. She hopes to encourages kids to do the same."

"School Biz Kids," the name of Tara's characters has been listed in the official Gazette of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, her mother said. No one has opposed the name, so she may now apply for a trademark under the new law.

"We hope it's in the final stage," she said.

She has also received a certificate of copyright registration for the book.

Tara is the daughter of Tony and Connie Koosak of Cape Girardeau.