Every era gives new meaning to the verbs "to read" and "to write." New technology is introducing profound changes in how people communicate and receive information. Increasing numbers of people are fluent in the language of hypertext, email, and the virtual pages of nonexistent books, but others cannot understand and fully absorb the contents of a newspaper or traditional book. Full democracy requires a deep ability to read beyond the deciphering of words. Award-winning educator Emilia Ferreiro believes that, in a world where linguistic and cultural diversity are as important as biodiversity, it is the right of every child to learn to read and write. Her presentation of these ideas has ideological and political implications in many policy areas, from publishing to book access to textbooks.