Sen. Susan Collins encouraged St. Louis Child Development Center students to read as much as possible during a visit last week.
    “If you become a good reader you can be whatever you want to be when you grow up,” Collins told a group of 4 and 5-year-old students at the Biddeford school.
    Collins visited the center to learn about its early literacy program and read a book to students. She said she chose “Antlers Forever” by Frances Bloxam because she likes the rhymes used by the author.
    After reading the story and chatting with students about their favorite books, Collins said she thinks early childhood literacy is important to give students advantages in school.
    “Studies show kids exposed to books at early ages become better readers. It prepares them for entering public schools and increases their readiness for reading,” she said. “Reading should be fun.”
    St. Louis received a three-year Early Reading First grant to promote reading skills for students ages 3 to 5. Teacher Patty Brooks said students have responded positively to the program and have showed improvement in reading skills such as alphabet awareness.