What better way to introduce an early learner to the excitement of reading than a splendid picture book? My name is Patricia and I teach Kindergarten at Gilbert PreK-8, which is a small, rural town in southern West Virginia. Teaching in a high poverty area often means literacy is not the focus of our students' daily lives. Often times, the basic needs of our children must come before book orders and book fairs. Therefore, given the opportunity, I would like to give a free book to each student every month we are in school together. Just $10 for each student means they would receive a book every month from September to June. The gift of reading would lead children on adventures throughout the world and far inside their own imaginations. The gift of reading would incite students' senses and spark wonder and curiosity of the world around them. The excitement of new, engaging books to take home and share with loved ones will help set the stage for a lifetime love of reading.