A miraculous alchemy occurs when one person reads to another, transforming the simple stuff of a book, a voice, and a bit of time into complex and powerful fuel for the heart, brain, and imagination. Bringing together the latest scientific research, practical tips, and reading recommendations, Meghan Cox Gurdon argues that this ancient practice is a fast-working antidote to the fractured attention spans, atomized families, and unfulfilling gadgets of the tech era, helping to replenish what our devices are leaching away. For everyone, reading aloud engages the mind in complex narratives and generates a sense of peace, suggests Gurdon, while for children, it's an irreplaceable gift that builds vocabulary, fosters imagination, and kindles a lifelong appreciation of language and stories.