That Texas ranks 47th among states for English literacy should be cause for concern by all in our state.

That’s why the work of the Waco nonprofit organization Storybook Christmas is so important, putting books in the hands of low-income children who otherwise might not read.

It’s been two decades since this group — which is sponsored by the Waco Tribune-Herald — began handing out books at the holidays. Since its 1991 inception, Storybook Christmas has given out 308,866 books to McLennan County children. In 2009, 19,735 books were given to 200 local facilities.

“Hopefully, it has helped some children on reading,” said Ann Roznovsky, co-founder of the program and former marketing director for the Trib. “Some kids are so excited about getting a book of their own, and they just clutch it to themselves tightly.”

That’s a sight we’d like to see more of, especially in today’s age of video games and technology overload.

Sadly, for many recipients these books may be their only Christmas gifts this year, Roznovsky says.

That makes it even more touching that some teachers and school officials make a big to-do about the books, wrapping them elaborately and giving them to students right before they leave for winter break.

Roznovsky says seeing their bright, young faces as they receive the books makes the yearlong collection worth it. “That’s a real touching, humbling situation to know that this may be their only gift,” she said. “We wish they could have four or five books each.”

As do we all.

The books are given to preschool through fourth-grade students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. Sadly, due to the recession, the number of low-income children in our area is increasing. Roznovsky estimates that they could give out 20,000 books during this 20th anniversary year.

But they’re ready. And once again lining the hallways and back offices of the Trib are thousands of new and donated books slated for area children. Many of the books were purchased with donations from local citizens, businesses or other groups.

It’s truly a grass-roots effort that brings in everything from $5 donations to checks with commas.

Yet even a $5 donation can have an impact.

Debbie Johnson, executive director of Literacy Texas, a coalition that strives to raise literacy rates, told us 3.8 million Texas adults are in need of literacy service, yet only 100,000 are being served. The best way to address this is to teach our youngsters to read early — and the best way to do that is to give them a book.

Reading can open the world for a child. And every child deserves that gift.

To donate, please go to www.wacotrib.com or call 757-5791.