The Phillie Phanatic is the star of five children's books and as a result has helped turn his love of reading into the exciting Be a Phanatic About Reading literacy program for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The program, which is presented by Verizon, has reached over 200,000 children since it began in September 2004. It was created to encourage children to improve their literacy skills by reading for a minimum of 15 minutes a day.

The program is divided into two levels: one for children in grades K through 3 and the other for grades 4 through 8. Children will be asked to spend a minimum of 15 minutes a day reading whatever book they select. Younger children will be given Phanatic coloring sheets to color in once they have attained their goal while older children will be asked to record the book they read and write a few sentences on their favorite part of the book. The Phillie Phanatic will make a special visit to the top performing schools. To qualify for a Phanatic visit, children will report their progress to their teachers who in turn will tell the Phillies how the children have done in their reading endeavors. From that progress report, schools will be selected for a school visit.

Upon registration classrooms receive:
• Rules of the Be a Phanatic About Reading Program
• Be a Phanatic About Reading Bookmarks
• A Phanatic magnet for each student
• Coloring sheets for the younger children, writing sheets for the older children
• Evaluation form for the teacher
• Most Improved and Most Outstanding Reader nomination forms
• A favorite book nomination form for all students

This year the Be a Phanatic About Reading program is going to be better than ever and the Phanatic does not want you or your students to miss out on the fun. For information on how to register, e-mail fandev@phillies.com or call 215.463.1000.

Classrooms have the opportunity to win a special visit from the Phillie Phanatic. To qualify for a Phanatic visit, children will report their progress to their teachers who in turn will tell the Phillies how the children have done in their reading endeavors. From that progress report, the top performing classrooms/schools will be selected for a Phanatic visit. Visits will be scheduled between January and May.

The Phanatic loves to honor children dedicated to reading and we will again hold a special Be a Phanatic About Reading Literacy Night during the Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park at a to be determined Phillies game. Be a Phanatic About Reading will feature a special pregame ceremony honoring the ten Most Improved and ten Most Outstanding Readers selected from teacher nominations. All students and teachers participating in the Be a Phanatic About Reading program will receive a special ticket offer. The 2007-08 Most Outstanding and Most Improved Readers were:

Most Improved Readers
• Mekhi Temple - Tender Loving Kare Academy
• Sofia DePaul - Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic School
• Keith White - Arrowhead Elementary School
• Jose Perez - Richmond School
• Robert Ortman - Linwood Elementary School
• Giovanna Iamurri - Robert B. Jaggard Elementary School
• Nicholas Stamoulis - Cecil S. Collins School
• Noah Hyson - Berlin Community School
• Ismael (Tommy) Tirado - Joyce Kilmer Elementary School
• Haley Thiel - Brighten Academy

Most Outstanding Readers
• Joseph Kennedy - St. Alphonsus School
• Jimmy Williamson - St. Francis De Sales School
• D'Angelo Jones-Cole - Collegium Charter School
• Dominic Behney - Schuylkill Haven Area Elementary Center
• Joseph Doherty - W.C.K. Walls School
• DJ Frederick - Quakertown Christian School
• Melissa Lam - Our Lady of Victory
• Sarah Kruger - McKinley Elementary School
• Christy Tran - G & Hunting Park School
• Diana Melchor - Buckshutem Road School

This program has been terrific for reluctant readers. It has been especially rewarding for students that were not motivated readers. It has been rewarding to watch these young readers become more fluent readers.

I used the reading program as an incentive to motivate my students to read. The program was just, simply, fun! Everyone loves the Phanatic and anything to do with him.

I have used the program since September. My students have actively kept the reading log to show their reading. Thank you very much. I will look forward to doing this awesome program again next year.

I would like to commend you and the Phillies organization for taking part in such an important area of student development. As a Reading Specialist, I am thrilled to see organizations that kids so passionately care for,develop programs to encourage the whole child! I am equally as impressed with the knowledge of reading research that is included in your letter.

Thank you for providing my class with this opportunity. They are really enjoying the challenge. I am proud to see that I am seeing many of my students showing a greater interest in reading.

• Archdiocese of Philadelphia • Audubon • Bellmawr • Bensalem • Bristol Township • Burlington City Schools • Burlington County • Camden • Camden County • Centennial • Central Bucks • Central Dauphin • Chadds Ford-Unionville • Cheltenham • Cherry Hill Public Schools • Chichester • Coatesville Area School District • Colonial • Council Rock • Delran • Diocese of Camden • Diocese of Trenton • Diocese of Wilmington • Discovery Charter School • Downingtown • Elk Township • Evesham Township • Ewing Township

• Glassboro Public Schools • Gloucester Township • Greenwich Township • Hatboro-Horsham • Haverford • Interboro • Jenkintown • Kennett Consolidated • LEAP District • Lower Merion • Lumberton Township • Marple Newtown • Monroe Township • Mount Laurel • Neshaminy • New Hope/Solebury • North Hanover • North Penn • Paulsboro Public Schools • Pemberton • Penn Delco • Pennridge • Pennsauken • Pennsbury • Phoenixville • Pine Hill • Pitman Public Schools

• Pottsgrove • Pottstown • Quakertown • Radnor • Red Clay Consolidated • Ridley • Riverside • Rose Tree Media • Runnemede • School District of Philadelphia • Somerdale • Spring-Ford • Springfield Township • Swarthmore • Wallingford • Unionville-Chadd Ford • Upper Darby • Upper Merion • Wallingford/Swarthmore • Washington Township • Waterford Township Public Schools • West Chester • West Windsor-Plainsboro • Westville • Willingboro • Woodbury Heights • Woodlynne

Tell the Phanatic what you like to read!
Plus find out about the Phanatic’s new book,
“The Adventures of Super Phanatic" click here »