Contact: Sharon Adams
                713/247-3152

Houston, Texas – To help encourage children to develop a love of reading, Houston City Controller Sylvia R. Garcia took part in the annual City Leaders are “Inventive” Readers Program at the Houston Public Library Oak Forest branch on July 19th. Children ranging from age 2-6 years enjoyed stories about space travel and rockets. In keeping with the “space and rockets” theme, the children created their own space rockets as a part of the day’s activities.

Several City leaders are participating in the citywide City Leaders are “Inventive” Readers Program this year. City leaders visit area libraries and read from a favorite book. In addition, they tell children about the impact reading has made on their lives and the importance of reading. Last summer over 1,000 area children participated in the City Leaders are Readers Program.

“Reading was one of my favorite things to do as a kid,” said the Controller. “I’m glad that our Houston libraries have some great books and programs available to children. It is so important that kids take the time to read, especially during the summer when most are not attending school,” she said.

As part of the Summer Reading Program, City Leaders are “Inventive” Readers continues through the end of July. For more information contact your neighborhood branch library.