Balloon Museum has new, free book nook for kids

Children have a newly upgraded space to get cozy and enjoy a book at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.

In partnership with PNC Bank, the museum will offer its Stories in the Sky readings in an improved book nook filled with books all about balloons. Stories in the Sky is a free reading and music program hosted by the museum to help foster a love of reading and education for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

The program is a part of PNC’s $500 million multi-year, bilingual early childhood education initiative. It focuses on providing children from infants to 5 years old with programs and resources to encourage a love of education. PNC provided money to redo the book nook space and will also contribute funds to the Stories in the Sky program.

PNC declined to comment on how much funding the company contributed to the book nook or to the program.

“The museum already had a weekly reading program, and we loved it. It was a no-brainer to us to work with them,” said Jessica Castellanos, vice president of client and community at PNC.

“We want to make sure we emphasize the future of the community, and economic factors are something we have to consider,” she said. “Programs like this embrace reading and learning in the museum and gives kids a leg up.”

Nan Masland, manager of the Balloon Museum, said the funding from the financial services company will allow the program to do more for children.

“We’ve had Stories in the Sky for many years, and now with PNC, we can do a lot more with it,” Masland said. “The funds helped redo the book nook, it was a lot smaller before. We got to emphasize the area and give it new life.”

Some of the upgrades to the area include a wind tube, an elevated platform for sitting in a balloon basket and a colored glass dome for photos. There are also interactive games.

Roughly 60 people, many being toddlers, gathered at the museum for the PNC literacy launch event Wednesday morning. Families got to take a first look at the nook and enjoy a reading from first lady Elizabeth Kistin Keller, the wife of Mayor Tim Keller.

Children were also able to play outdoors on the lawn with small balls, color on activity books with crayons and take a photo with “Sesame Street” character Cookie Monster.

“As we continue building a better tomorrow for Albuquerque families, we understand that there’s no greater investment than the one we place in our kids,” Kistin Keller said in a statement. “It’s essential that we work to ensure early paths of access, enrichment and opportunity for the bright young minds that will drive our city’s future.”