Reading

* We especially appreciate your recent editorials about the state of reading and schoolbooks in Southern California. The mission of Reading Is Fundamental Inc. of Southern California, a nonprofit corporation, is to promote literacy by motivating children to read and inspiring them to become lifelong readers.

For over 30 years we have distributed books to children from preschool age to fifth-graders. Each child receives one book during three events throughout the school year. This year over 24,000 students in 105 schools who participate in our program will receive books and, for many, this book is the first book in the home and the beginning of a home library.

Please continue your crusade to highlight the importance of reading at an early age. When you give a child a book, you give the gift of inspiring a lifelong reader.

PHYLLIS SHLECTER

Board Chairperson

Reading Is Fundamental

Los Angeles