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Parents Know Reading Matters; Now We Must Ensure Every Child Has Access to Books

Across Texas, parents and caregivers are sending a clear message: reading is fundamental to their children’s success. According to BookSpring’s 2025 Texas Reading Survey, nearly all parents recognize reading as essential to learning, development, and connection. Yet the survey also reveals persistent barriers, particularly around book access, home libraries, and family confidence that prevent too many children from fully experiencing the power of reading  

These findings echo a broader national reality. Today, 25 million children in the United States cannot read proficiently, limiting their ability to succeed in school, participate fully in society, and pursue their dreams. This signals a national literacy crisis, and at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), we believe this is solvable. 

Parents Overwhelmingly Believe Reading Is Essential 

The BookSpring survey, which gathered responses from parents and caregivers across 73 Texas counties, found near-universal agreement on the importance of reading: 

  • 78% of parents say reading is “very important” to their child’s educational success
  • 96% rate reading as important or very important overall
  • 68% strongly agree that reading aloud to their child is important
  • 72% say reading is a good use of their child’s time  

Parents aren’t just thinking about academics. Many also see reading as a powerful way to build relationships: 

  • 63% strongly agree that reading together strengthens their connection with their child
  • 42% say shared reading has helped their child develop empathy
  • 62% say they genuinely enjoy reading with their children  

These findings reinforce what RIF has known for nearly 60 years: reading builds both skills and bonds, laying the foundation for lifelong learning and opportunity. 

A Hidden Challenge: Access and Confidence Still Matter 

Despite these positive attitudes, the survey reveals important gaps that hold families back. 

Book Ownership Is Improving, but Uneven

While book ownership has increased compared to previous years, access remains inconsistent: 

  • 22% of families report having fewer than five children’s books at home
  • 3% report having no children’s books at all
  • Spanish-speaking households represent 23% of families, yet only 17% report having Spanish-language books in the home, a significant language access gap  

Research consistently shows that children who grow up with books in the home have stronger academic outcomes, regardless of income level. When children can choose books they love and keep them, reading becomes personal and powerful. 

Reading Confidence Is a Barrier for Some Families

The survey also highlights an often-overlooked challenge: 

  • Nearly 1 in 4 parents say reading aloud is difficult for them 

These caregivers are highly motivated. They value reading deeply, but may face barriers related to language, literacy confidence, or time. This underscores the need for supportive, judgment-free programs that meet families where they are. 

How RIF Turns Belief into Action: Books for Ownership

At Reading Is Fundamental, we address these challenges through Books for Ownership, our flagship, research-backed program designed to ensure children have choice, access, and opportunity. 

Why Books for Ownership Works

Books for Ownership is grounded in a simple but powerful truth: 
When children are given access to books and the freedom to choose them, they become more engaged readers. 

Through this program, RIF: 

  • Enables children to select new, age-appropriate books to take home and keep
  • Provides family, educator, and community resources that support shared reading
  • Helps build home libraries, especially in under-resourced communities
  • Expands access through Skybrary, RIF’s digital library 

This approach directly responds to the BookSpring findings: parents believe in reading, but children need books in their homes to turn belief into practice. 

Supporting Readers Beyond Elementary School 

RIF also recognizes that reading support must continue beyond early childhood. Our Middle School Family Literacy Initiative (MSFLI) expands the Books for Ownership model to serve adolescent readers; a group often overlooked in literacy efforts. 

MSFLI: 

  • Gives middle school students opportunities to select diverse books to own
  • Engages families from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
  • Integrates culturally responsive and sustaining literacy practices
  • Explores the link between motivation, engagement, and academic outcomes 

Early findings from this multi-year initiative show promising results, reinforcing that access and motivation remain critical at every stage of development. 

The Path Forward: Partnering to Solve the Literacy Crisis 

The message from parents is clear: reading matters. What is needed now is collective action. 

RIF has proven programs and resources to tackle the literacy crisis, but we can’t do it alone. 

By partnering with RIF, you help: 

  • Put books into children’s hands and homes
  • Build confident, motivated readers
  • Support families with tools that make reading joyful, not stressful
  • Create pathways to lifelong learning and opportunity 

Together, we can ensure every child not only understands that reading matters but has the access and support to experience its full power. 

Partner with Reading Is Fundamental today and help connect more children to the joy of reading.