Baltimore— The National Aquarium, in partnership with the Enoch Pratt Free Library, announced the return of the “Read to Reef” book club.
The program, kicked off its third season March 1, 2017 and offers free admission to the Aquarium for participating Baltimore children in the fifth grade and lower with a Pratt Library card.
“Through Read to Reef, our amazing partnership with Pratt Library, we introduce thousands of young readers to the wonders of the aquatic world,” said Jenny Hamilton, community programs manager for the National Aquarium. “Reading is not only a cornerstone to a life-long love of learning, it also nurtures skills like imagination, curiosity and compassion. Our city’s children will build upon these stories and skills, inspiring a generation to care for our oceans and the creatures that inhabit them.”
In 2016, the inaugural year, 4,770 children participated in the program— reading 23,850 books, which resulted in 9,841 free visits to the Aquarium.
We had an overwhelming response to the program last year,” said Enoch Pratt Free Library Children’s Services Coordinator Rachel Peffer. “We’re excited to partner with the National Aquarium, once again, to show students that reading can lead to so many rewards in life.”
Baltimore children fifth grade and lower can visit their local Pratt Library branch and show their library card to receive a bookmark, while supplies last, and a booklist that suggests aquatic/conservation- themed books to read. Once participants have read five books, they can present their completed bookmark onsite at the National Aquarium to receive admission for the child and up to three guests.
Participants must redeem their visit by June 11; some blackout dates apply. For more information about the Read to Reef book club and the upcoming season, visit aqua.org/read.
Children and parents who are interested in applying for a Pratt Library card may visit: prattlibrary.org/librarycards for more information. For more information about the National Aquarium
programs, visit: aqua.org/youraquarium.