This literature review describes the evidence base linking poor literacy to poverty and lower health and education outcomes. The literature review also outlines the evidence that has examined the impact of book reading in very early childhood in preparation for developing and acquiring language and literacy skills. Finally, the literaure review synthesises the evidence base to inform the content and structure of a community-based intervention to promote reading and language-based activities within the family unit in aid of promoting the building blocks that facilitate later literacy success.