Young children's experiences in being read to are often the first in a chain of events leading to the acquisition of reading skills and a love for reading. When asked to write accounts of their early memories related to literature, 75 students in university-level children's literature courses mentioned their mothers more frequently than any other individuals (47 respondents), followed by teachers (34 respondents), fathers (8 respondents), and other persons. Among other findings were that every student except one recalled pleasant memories in their early experiences with literature, that Mother Goose was by far the most popular form of poetry remembered, and that a wide range of books was recalled as favorites. Students' comments suggested the pleasure that being read to in early childhood had brought them. Although students recalled experiences with their mothers most frequently, the teacher's role in reading to children is extremely important. Studies show that primary teachers read aloud regularly to their pupils but that this practice is not as common in middle grades; yet reading aloud to middle grade children is also quite important. It is also important for parents and teachers to cooperate to provide children with good reading experiences and for them to become aware of the importance of the cycle in which enthusiastic adults share literature with children. (GT)