Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of short essays to encourage reading and celebrate Read Across America. Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson contributed today’s essay.

I am pleased to write about the importance of reading to small children. Study after study has pro-ven that children who are regularly read to by a caring adult succeed scholastically at a much higher rate than those children who do not receive these early reading experiences.

I can say, however, that the adults who read to small children on a regular basis may receive a bigger return than do the children. I can say without equivocation that my fondest and dearest memories are those memories of reading to my daughters when they were young and now to my granddaughters.

There is absolutely nothing that compares to those quiet, gentle moments when those little ones cuddle in your arms and become absorbed in a great story. They and you will remember and cherish those times forever. I highly recommend it!