This practicum project developed and implemented a program to teach young children reading readiness skills before they entered first grade. A target group of 20 students ranging in age from 4 to 6 years old in an elementary school kindergarten class was established for the program. During the 12-week implementation, the target group participated in cross-age reading with fifth-grade students. The program consisted of three strategies: increasing letter recognition, increasing concepts about print, and increasing phonemic awareness. Student success was measured with teacher-made instruments, including checklists and existing score sheet instruments such as checklists for letter identification and concepts about print. Results indicated that the preschool students increased their letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and knowledge of print concepts during their participation in the program. Results support the need for kindergarten students to have cross-age reading partners in the daily curriculum. The interaction that occurred during the program built enthusiasm, allowed the target students to progress in the acquisition of reading skills, and put reading into a social context. Reading and discussing stories together resulted in a sense of ownership for the participants. (Six appendices include survey instruments, pre- and posttest scores and checklists verifying the effectiveness of the program.) (WJC)