A study examined the effectiveness of a project to increase reading readiness skills. The targeted population consisted of kindergarten students in a growing middle class community located in northern Illinois. The problems of lack of reading readiness were documented through teacher observation and district assessment tools. Analysis of probable cause data revealed that children were lacking in literacy experiences due to a variety of environmental factors. These causes were documented by citations from professional literature and analysis of the site. A review of solution strategies suggested by knowledgeable others, combined with an analysis of the problem setting resulted in the selection of three major categories of interventions: a parental involvement program; increased emphasis on writing skills; and a cross-age reading program with sixth-grade students. Post intervention data indicated an increase in reading readiness skills as measured by teacher observation and district assessment tools. (Contains 29 references, 6 tables, and 4 figures of data. Appendixes present survey instruments, newsletters, parent involvement materials, checklists, story guide questions, and evaluation forms.) (RS)