"Emergent literacy" means that a young child's communication skills are in the emerging state. Clearly, the child's environment is supremely important in nurturing this emerging literacy (Morrow 1995). Children cannot become literate alone. They need the help of others to claim their own unique literacy. Although most parents recognize that they are their children's first teachers, some consider literacy to be something children develop in school. Educators can encourage parents to accept the challenge of offering activities at home, like reading aloud, that support their children's emerging literacy. Here, the author discusses ways parents can encourage their young children to actively embrace reading and explains why it is important for children to respond to literature.