Friends of ROR "Read and Romp" at the Seaport Hotel More than 400 guests gathered on November 4, 2007, to celebrate Reach Out and Read's fourth annual Read and Romp at the Seaport Hotel. The Read and Romp committee, co-chaired by Cara Ahola, Holly Bonomo, and Kirke Hall, transformed the Grand Ballroom into a whimsical celebration of favorite children's stories. With returning favorites Bebop Express and The Runaway Bunny, as well as new books including My Daddy is a Pretzel and The Magic Tree House series, children practiced yoga postures, decorated cookies, made musical instruments, and gently held baby bunnies. Children mailed postcards at The Jolly Postman station while parents browsed the on-site bookstore organized by BookFairs by BookEnds of Winchester. Guests were treated to lunchtime performances by storyteller Susan Reed as they enjoyed a child-friendly buffet. While Clifford the Big Red Dog and his creator, Norman Bridwell posed for photos, guests tried their luck at Mystery Book, where the purchase of a book was accompanied by prizes ranging from Pilates classes to Red Sox tickets. Read and Romp raised more than $81,000 in support of ROR's mission to put books in the hands of children. For Read and Romp co-chairs, what started out as an opportunity to help at-risk children has evolved into something more personal. As Kirke Hall remarked, "As my children have gotten older, I am delighted that books have become such an important part of their lives. I am proud to help bring children's storybooks to life at Read and Romp, knowing that this event helps enable children everywhere to fall in love with books and reading." Co-chair Holly Bonomo echoed these sentiments, noting, "As the mother of two young boys, the most rewarding and enjoyable moments of our day often revolve around sharing time with a book. I look forward to continuing to spread the word about the importance of pediatric literacy and introducing new families to the mission of ROR." Under their leadership, Read and Romp event co-chairs have witnessed a growth in the popularity of the event and a corresponding increase in revenue that supports our mission. Co-Chair Cara Ahola remarked, "I am delighted to have participated in the evolution of Read and Romp. We have created a truly unique and exciting, interactive event focused on children-crafts, music, and activities-all derived from wonderful children's literature. Read and Romp is a fall highlight for many children in the Boston area and provides an unparalleled opportunity for entire families to support ROR in a fun and special environment. We are helping create a new generation of young philanthropists, as young children love books and want to share this love with others not as fortunate." Make plans to join us on October 19, 2008 for our fifth annual Boston Read and Romp!   Return