We all know how important reading books are to help children's early development but statistics show Black and Latino families, especially in the Houston area, still don't have access to books -- which is why a clinic is trying to change that by giving free books to children.

Adventure begins at your library. That’s the theme for this year’s summer reading program with the Harris County Public Library (HCPL). Readers of all ages are encouraged to join the reading challenge, where they can read books to earn prizes.

Find summer reading lists and programs around Houston

The program features best-selling authors and members of the Bush family. Hear the stories of incredibly talented authors and how you can help the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation in its mission to improve literacy rates for children and adults.

Cheri Hutcherson, Lauren Thurman and their families are participants in this year's Braille Across America, the annual event that supports National Braille Press and their efforts to promote braille literacy. Watch the video to learn more about their mission and how braille is empowering blind and visually impaired adults and children -- including Cheri's 13 year old son Will, who is blind.

The Houston-based literacy program “Reading With A Rapper” is launching a new digital platform through a collaboration with Microsoft.

KPRC 2 and our Community partners at Energy Transfer and Houston Christian University are proud to feature Books Between Kids and the work they do to provide books to economically disadvantaged children in Houston.

Watch as Neil Bush chats about the bronze statue that will serve as the focal point of the Barbara Bush Memorial Garden, named in honor of his mother.

The Foundation is celebrating 10 years of carrying out Barbara Bush’s mission to ensure all adults and children are given the opportunities needed to learn to read. You can help by supporting their many outreach programs including My Home Library, the UH Cougar Tutor program, Camp Adventure, the Curiosity Cruiser, Success Through Adult Reading, and George and Barbara Bush Family Places. To help, go to www.barbarabushhouston.org

Houston Newsmakers: HPD’s DART team, Houston Area Women’s Center highlighted as October’s Domestic Abuse Awareness Month begins

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner joins Texas Governor Abbott and officials from other states to proclaim April 23 – 29 as “Disability Book Week,” which will highlight authors worldwide with disabilities. It also includes books that have a leading character with a disability shown in a positive way.

Providing families with easy-to-use literacy based sensory boxes created by moms and teachers.

HOUSTON – Throughout the month of March, the Houston Rockets and the Rockets Women’s Organization are partnering up with Reliant for the fifth annual ‘HTX Reads Book Drive,’ benefiting the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. This year Houstonians can support childhood literacy virtually by texting “BookDrive” to 91999, or visiting bushhoustonliteracy.org/bookdrive. In addition to donating money or books, Houstonians are encouraged to celebrate National Read Aloud Month by making reading with their children a daily habit and using #HTXReads when sharing photos on social media. Watch as Lauren Kelly chats with Julie Baker Finck, President, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Felicia Stone, Houston Rockets Women’s Organization, and Leanne Schneider, Director Of Community Relations at Reliant about how you can support this wonderful event.

HOUSTON – Houston is facing a literacy crisis. According to research from the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, one in three Houston-area adults can’t read or write beyond a fourth-grade level. Illiteracy has become a multi-generational issue impacting all areas of the economy, but there is a strategic plan in place to change Houston’s literacy landscape. Nearly 30% of Houston-area third-graders fail to meet the minimum reading standards. The goal is to enrich the lives of more and more Houstonians through the power of literacy.