LOCAL CHILDREN’S AUTHOR TO READ AT PALM BEACH ZOO
Grant from PNC Foundation to expand conservation & educational youth reading program
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., July 17, 2012 – The Palm Beach Zoo has received a $4,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to expand its conservation and educational youth reading program, which includes hosting Sharon Bastin, a local children’s author. Ms. Bastin will read her book, The Oak Tree and The Rock, on Saturday, July 21 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the zoo and sign books after each presentation.
The grant from the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), will allow the Palm Beach Zoo to offer creative, fun and entertaining methods of introducing some of its 1,400 animals to children through the written word. PNC provided the funding in support of Grow Up Great, its bilingual program in early childhood education.
Susan Duncan, Head Librarian at The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach said, “Ms. Bastin has written this book for very small children learning to accept new friends, deal with rejection and appreciate the differences surrounding them in school and in the larger community. It is illustrated with a friendly rock and the big oak tree that learns to share his space. Together they create a comfortable and restful place in the park where visitors can sit and read and enjoy the great outdoors. Large print and brief text using strong verbs and colorful adjectives makes this first book user-friendly. We have gladly accepted this book as an addition to our Lower School library. We hope that this local author will continue to write for young readers.”
Kimberly M. Hill, Director of the Peter Pan Preschool and Murray-Hill Private School in Palm Beach Gardens said, “The Oak Tree and The Rock is a beautiful story of sharing and cooperation. The book captures young readers with its vivid yet tranquil illustrations and inspirational message. The Oak Tree overcomes his loneliness and makes lifelong friends. As an educator, I recommend this story to be included in your child s library. The Oak Tree and the Rock story and underlying lessons are included in our Peter Pan Preschool Character Education Program. Special thanks to Sharon Bastin, talented author/illustrator, and mother of three wonderful girls who inspire her stories. We look forward to future books.”
Sharon Bastin lives in West Palm Beach, Florida with her three daughters, Ashley, Amanda and Amber. She has a degree in Business Administration from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Sharon wrote, illustrated and published this book and has several books planned for the future.
“Our support of the Palm Beach Zoo’s youth reading program is a strategic investment in the future of our children in the area,” said Craig Grant, PNC regional president for Eastern Florida, speaking on behalf of the PNC Foundation. “It is a perfect example of how teaching preschoolers what they see at the zoo can be reinforced by experiencing it through the pages of a book.”
For more information on this event: www.palmbeachzoo.org or call (561) 533-0887 and to learn more about the PNC Grow Up Great initiative, go to www.pncgrowupgreat.com.
About PNC Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a $350 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.
About the Zoological Society
The Zoological Society of the Palm Beaches exists to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat, and to inspire others to value and conserve the natural world. We advance our conservation mission through endangered species propagation, education, health and wellness, field research, and conservation medicine. Our sustainable and responsible business practices and local, national and global partnerships enable the Palm Beach Zoo to support national and international conservation, species survival, and habitat preservation.