For Immediate Release:
September 24, 2003

Contact:
Patricia Trostle 757-622-7382  

Alma, Ark. — There’s nothing that kids would rather read than comics, especially ones that feature lots of colorful illustrations and heartwarming stories with happy endings. That’s why People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is sending copies of its newly released comic book "A Chicken’s Life"—free of charge—to the Alma Public Library, which intends to hand out a copy of the comic book to each child visiting the library.

"A Chicken’s Life" demonstrates the basic concepts of compassion and respect for others, which are the pillars of character education. It focuses on the lives of three chickens who were rescued from the misery of modern factory farms—like the ones that dot Arkansas’ landscape—and a group of inquisitive and kind children who learn how they can help stop the suffering.

Teaching respect for even the smallest and most unpopular living creatures is essential to children’s moral development, and humane education has been shown to be a vital component of violence prevention. Through "A Chicken’s Life," students learn to empathize with the birds’ plight of being robbed of their freedom, and PETA believes that this will assist them in developing positive character traits, as well as in acquiring essential reading skills.

Writes Melinda Milam, adult services coordinator of the Alma Public Library, "We would love for you to send us some of the comics. … We are always looking for neat things to get the kids interested!"

Free copies of "A Chicken’s Life" can be requested by contacting Patricia Trostle at 757-622-7382.