It’s all part of the Reach Out and Read national program.

Loebsack asked how wide an area Ottumwa Pediatrics covers. O’Brien said some of their clients extend into Missouri.

“Out of the 10 poorest counties in Iowa, we serve seven of them,” said O’Brien.

Growing up in poverty, Loebsack said, books and reading were not an important part of his childhood. The idea that every child will have some reading material gives him hope, he said.

“It’s a great way to promote literacy. There are others, too, but this is a great program,” he said.

The idea is to “introduce kids to literacy and reading, to have books around the house [as a way to] begin an education,” Loebsack said, putting them on the path to education as soon as possible.

And what of those who ask that kids just be allowed to be kids?

“But reading can be a part of the childhood experience,” answered Loebsack after he finished with “Is Your Mama a Llama?”

Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.