Carrie’s love of children’s books– and the delight they bring– started long ago. The eldest of six children, Carrie grew up reading to her younger siblings. She read everything they handed her, from Grandma’s copy of “Winds in the Willows” to “The Monster at the End of This Book, Starring Lovable, Furry Old Grover.”

When she became a mother to her own three sons, Carrie rediscovered the joy she had reading aloud with voices and actions. She also gained a deeper appreciation for how a well-crafted children’s book can induce joy, ignite the imagination, and create a beloved memory.

As a family doctor, Carrie discovered how daily reading is an essential component of child development and well-being. That’s why she supports Reach Out and Read, a nonprofit network of pediatric care providers who provide families, at routine check-ups, with the knowledge and tools they need to make reading a part of their daily routine. By integrating reading aloud into pediatric care, Reach Out and Read can reach 4.2 million children across the country—a quarter of whom come from low-income families.