C an you imagine your children growing up without books? Can you imagine what an unfortunate predicament they would have found themselves in when they entered the school system if you and other family members had not read to them, if there had not been books in your home?

Well, that is exactly what is happening in far too many homes. Texas ranks 47th among states in literacy.

Recently we have been making progress. A Tribune-Herald story reported that 90 percent of Waco kindergarten, first and second grade students showed progress in reading assessment tests. We believe Storybook Christmas had a big part in this improvement in reading skills and comprehension.