Gwen Pongracz, of New Tripoli, is the local publisher for Kidsville News!, a newspaper for students and their families scheduled to be distributed free in May at local libraries, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, Literary Programs and more.

The parent company of Kidsville News! is based in North Carolina, where the majority of the information comes from.

Local publishers are then able to make the newspaper their own by inserting news from their area as well as pictures, etc. submitted by students.

Pongracz learned of the project three years ago through a friend who writes for the paper.

She decided this type of project would work well in her community.

She contacted Kidsville News! and was provided with a publishing license for the paper granting her the ability to make edits that will feature the Lehigh Valley.

The paper, published monthly, features events that will be occurring during the month, as well as worksheets and stories that can be used in the classroom.

It also includes local businesses, organizations, and advocates of literacy and education sponsors.

Kidsville News! was created and first published in 1998 as a "free" Newspaper in Education resource.

It is aligned nationally with the Common Core Curriculum Standards and now sponsors the annual National Newspaper Associations Newspaper and Education Awards.

Kidsville News! is filled with fun, challenging and education puzzles, games and feature articles about people, cultures, animals, science, cooking, geography and much more!

Every aspect is designed to capture the heart and imagination of a young reader.

Each publication has it own interactive website, teacher/parent worksheets and tablets.

Truman the Dragon is Kidsville News! icon and mascot.

He will be promoting reading, education and good character traits everywhere he goes in Lehigh Valley communities.

Truman creates excitement whether he is visiting schools, hospitals, libraries or other popular community events.

He especially likes to promote the monthly book reviews and recommendations provided by his friend New York Times best-selling author, James Paterson, through his ReadKiddoRead organization.

For more information visit kidsvillenews.com/ lehigh.