First lady Ann Scott, with assistance from Gov. Rick Scott, read “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” to children at the LeRoy Collins Public Library in Tallahassee aspart of a kick-off of an early literacy initiative aimed at getting children to read to their grade level by the third grade.

The program is to create "Reading Pals" in 10 Florida regions to help improve student reading skills.

The initiative was boosted with the commitment of $3 million over three years from Carol Barnett, president of Publix Super Markets Charities, to the United Way of Florida.