American literary critic Elizabeth Hardwick once said, “The greatest gift is a passion for reading.” Yet thousands of children in Acadiana never experience that simple gift.

Each year, Barnes & Noble gives children the essential gift of literacy through its Holiday Book Drive. This year, Barnes & Noble is partnering with the Picard Center for Child Development and Lifelong Learning to provide books to 4-year-old children in Acadiana.

The research center, located on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s campus, studies early childhood education and literacy, amongst other areas. This partnership allows age-appropriate books to reach the hands and minds of more than 3,700 children in seven area parishes, including St. Martin.

Through the Holiday Book Drive, which begins Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 1, 2011, residents can purchase books that the Picard Center will donate to PreK students in those seven parishes. Many of these children have never owned a book.

During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we encourage you to stop by Barnes & Noble through New Year’s Day and pick up a book – or two – for a child in need in your community. It only takes one book to open the door to a life of learning. It is a gift that can never be taken away.