MONTICELLO — Mississippi First Lady Melanie Musgrove visited students here Wednesday as part of a tour to promote her “See theWorld, Read a Book” theme.

Musgrove, who taught 5th and 6th grade reading at Pope Elementary for nine and a half years, visited all six Lawrence County schools during a full day’s tour.

“Her teaching background was very evident,” said Julie Wall, executive secretary to the superintendent and an organizer of the event. “She was at ease with the students and they were at ease with her.”

The First Lady started her tour at Monticello Elementary School,where she read to the kindergartners and first graders. She read to second and third graders at Topeka Tilton School.

“She was well received at all the schools,” Wall said. “She was a wonderful storyteller — very animated and dynamic.”

After the stories, Wall said, Musgrove spent time discussing, in an interactive atmosphere, the meaning of the story with the students.

The First Lady spoke with the older students while touring the other schools, but did not read to them.

The visit came in the midst of school testing, and the students met the First Lady in groups rather than in an assembly. She supports reading by making personal appearances at schools throughout the state while promoting her “See the World, Read aBook” theme.