Authored by Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD, and Amy Shriver, MD, this white paper discusses how promoting early literacy with families in primary-care clinics can help address school readiness, conduct developmental surveillance, build parental capacities, and help buffer toxic stress in families. Using a mix of storytelling, scientific evidence, and data, the report shares examples from Reach Out and Read to highlight the types of interventions that can make a real difference for 21st century families.