The world is changing rapidly. Uncertainty in education policy and finance at both the federal and state levels is significant. Health care is even more unstable, with the threat of insurance loss feeling very real. Families in our midst don't know whether they will see their relatives any time soon. The only certainty we have is that families, especially the most vulnerable, are facing considerable stress. Brain science tells us clearly how detrimental this stress is to our children's futures. And that, dear friends, is a very scary thing to contemplate.

So maybe it is time to take some advice from our friend Dr. Seuss, the clever rhymer who twists the tongues of adults and makes children giggle. A little laughter would do us all some good. But there is sage advice in his books as well. Looking for simple answers amid complexity and despair sometimes works.

Investing in Reach Out and Read is one of those simple answers to a lot of complex issues. The power of a parent cuddling a young child on his or her lap to share a story together is beyond the immense value of the words spoken. The act of reading aloud together reduces stress, builds the powerful bond between parent and child, transports them both to another world, and helps that child be ready for kindergarten. And when Washington's Reach Out and Read doctors encourage parents to do this over 200,000 times in a year, and families go home with brand new books, the impact is magnified in immeasurable ways. Lives are made better because of these simple interactions. And when we prioritize serving the families least likely to have books, or to be encouraged in their powerful role as parents, these precious moments transform children's lives, their futures, and the world.

Washington is a beautiful state because of the diversity of its people and its geography, coupled with our common commitment to our children. So today, even if you're feeling hopeless or overwhelmed, help us take simple but powerful steps toward equity. Contact your legislators and ask them to advocate for Reach Out and Read in the budget process. A little bit of funding goes a very long way-across parties, across the state, and across cultures. Together we can make this the world we want for our children.