Educators have known for years that children who come from homes where storybooks are read have an advantage over those children who are not read to. Research has shown that shared reading, reading aloud, making a variety of print materials available, and promoting positive attitudes toward literacy have a significant impact on children's literacy learning. During storybook reading, parents also enhance their children's learning by encouraging the development of several skills which they are usually unaware are so important to their child's development. Research has also shown that children who learn to read early are those who have been read to. If teachers look for and respond to the positives of family life, they can encourage families to continue with the important task of building their children's language. Teachers also need to learn more about how parents and children share literacy on a daily basis and explore how such events can serve school learning. Teachers often fail to realize the importance of story book reading. Stories should be a part of the everyday routine, especially in the primary grades. Finally, teachers should develop a home-school connection that encourages and communicates the importance of reading to children at home. (Contains six references.) (RS)