Phanatic Launches New Book for Kids
The Phillie Phanatic's Hall of Fame Journey Now on Sale
Sports Challenge Network Publishing and the Phillies have announced the release of The Phillie Phanatic's Hall of Fame Journey, a new children's book about the Phanatic's visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
The book, which is written by the Phanatic's best friend Tom Burgoyne, features illustrations from cartoonist Len Epstein and is published by Sports Challenge Network. It is the 11th title in the Phanatic book series and is on sale at Phillies NewsStand Locations and the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park, by calling 1-877-GO PHILS or online at phillies.com and through local booksellers for a suggested retail price of $10.00.
"The Phillie Phanatic's Hall of Fame Journey is a fun way for fans of all ages to enjoy a look at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum," said Brad Horn, senior director, communications and education, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. "The book captures the excitement, the experiences and the journey through American culture that every fan enjoys on a trip to Cooperstown. Young readers will benefit from the Phanatic's enjoyable adventure of a trip through baseball history."
The Phanatic's children's book series is the centerpiece of the Phillies' Be a Phanatic About Reading Program, presented by Comcast. Last year, the program involved 75,000 children in classrooms throughout the Delaware Valley. The program encourages children in kindergarten through eighth grade to read at least 15 minutes a day, with the top-performing schools receiving a visit from the Phanatic.
BOOK SIGNINGS ANNOUNCED
Fans are invited to attend upcoming book signings being held at Citizens Bank Park and the Oxford Valley Mall:
- Sunday, June 23 - Len Epstein will sign copies of The Phillie Phanatic's Hall of Fame Journey and other titles in the series in the Phanatic Attic, inside the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 25 - Tom Burgoyne & Len Epstein will sign copies of the book at the Barnes & Noble at the Oxford Valley Mall beginning at 6:30 p.m.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR
Tom Burgoyne has been entertaining baseball fans in Philadelphia since 1989, his first year as the Phillie Phanatic. He has written 11 total books in the Phanatic series and co-wrote Movin On Up: Baseball and Philadelphia, Then, Now and Always, and More than Beards, Bellies and Biceps - The Story of the 1993 Phillies (and the Phillie Phanatic, too). Tom, a graduate of St. Joseph's Prep and Drexel University, currently resides in Montgomery County.
Illustrator Len Epstein, a native to the Philadelphia region, is a self-taught cartoonist and currently owns his own art studio in the Philadelphia area.