Ronald McDonald shows the magic in reading

About 260 people attended the annual Family Reading Night at Rupley Elementary School in Elk Grove Village.

One of the highlights was a guest appearance by McDonald's fast food patriarch, Ronald McDonald, who sang, danced and did magic tricks to the delight of the students in a show called "Bookin' with Ronald."

It's designed to show how much fun reading can be for kids, said Betsy Boswell, Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59's public relations coordinator.

Another fun activity was a paperback exchange where kids were able to bring in old books in exchange for other books to read. Some kids went on a scavenger hunt throughout the school based on clues given by the event's organizers.

Others worked on a program called Make and Take Book, where the first part of the books are written, leaving room for kids to finish them.

All the kids walked away with a goody bag paid for by the Elk Grove Rotary Club, which donated $500, and the Rupley PTO, which donated $100.

In the bags were a variety of books and a homework coupon.

The coupon can be used whenever kids forget to turn in a homework assignment, Bowell said. Kids can turn it in later without being marked down for it, she said.

The Illinois Family Reading Night is sponsored by the Illinois Secretary of State. It's held statewide annually on the third Thursday in November.