Fall Into Reading Adventures With the Return of the National Aquarium's Read to Reef Book Club

The National Aquarium, in partnership with the Enoch Pratt Free Library, is excited to celebrate the return of the Read to Reef book club for its fall 2024 season, inviting Baltimore's young readers to explore the connection between their love of reading and the ocean's wonders.

From October 1 through October 31, families of Baltimore-area children in fifth grade and younger can visit any Enoch Pratt Free Library location to pick up a free Read to Reef bookmark while supplies last. Once they've read five aquatic or conservation-themed books—including books recommended on the Read to Reef booklist—families can use their bookmark's unique code to reserve free admission to the National Aquarium for up to four guests.

This season's booklist, thoughtfully curated by library staff and Aquarium educators, offers aquatic adventure and fun for every young reader, from children just beginning their reading journey to older students eager to explore the mysteries of our blue planet. Whether kids are discovering stories on their own or families are sharing the magic of reading together, these STEAM-powered selections have something for everyone.

"We're excited to dive into another season of Read to Reef," said Sarah Doccolo, community programs manager at the National Aquarium. "This program offers families an exciting opportunity to bond over books while uncovering the wonders of our ocean's incredible biodiversity. We're honored to be part of their journey as they learn about marine life, conservation and environmental stewardship. Let's make this fall one to remember as we explore the wonders of our blue planet together."

Since its inception in 2016, Read to Reef has made a splash, engaging nearly 20,000 young readers in the Baltimore area, resulting in more than 77,000 free Aquarium visits for families. By turning the pages of over 100,000 ocean-inspired books, these young readers have built a stronger connection to the natural world and its aquatic treasures. As the program's tenth anniversary approaches in the spring of 2025, the National Aquarium looks forward to celebrating a full decade of inspiring ocean literacy through the power of reading.

"Our nearly decade-long partnership with the National Aquarium has created this amazing platform for children to not only explore some cool books but also engage with marine science in a meaningful way. We can't wait to celebrate 10 years of our Read to Reef book club this March," shared Meghan McCorkell, Chief Marketing, Communications, and Strategy Officer at the Enoch Pratt Free Library. "This program helps children understand their role in preserving our planet and opens the door to deepening their own relationship with nature. It's amazing to see the positive impact of this partnership year after year."

Bookmarks are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting October 1 and can be redeemed for Aquarium admission until January 20, 2025. Some blackout dates apply. Visit the Read to Reef page for more details.

Quotes from Past Read to Reef Participants/Families (2024):

"This was our first experience with the program, and we loved it. It was a wonderful way to encourage our kids to read and "earn" their tickets to the aquarium. I think it gave them a sense of accomplishment to set goals, work for something, and then receive the benefits of their hard work. We would love to do future programs like this! Readers are leaders. Thank you!"

"It was a fun way to work toward something together with my young child and have a real "reward" at the end. We would not go to the aquarium otherwise, and I feel like it did make my son feel more connected to what we read and the places we visit. I really appreciate this program. We're moving out of state this year and I've listed this as one of the things I'll miss-it's small, but it makes me feel like we're a part of a community where people invest and give."

"The only time we visit the Aquarium is when we have Read to Reef bookmarks. It's been wonderful to see my kids interact differently with the topics of nature, conservation, and sea life over the years as they get older and more aware of their surroundings. Thank you for offering this program-it's such a win/win!"

"Love this initiative and grateful for the experience! Conservation and reading are both such amazing values to instill. Thank you!"