“Children don’t start learning to read when they go to kindergarten or preschool. Their

“Children don’t start learning to read when they go to kindergarten or preschool. Their brains develop earlier. Talking and letting them hear sounds is important.”

Vikki Peck, a children’s librarian who conducted a recent “Baby Brilliant: Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s” program at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 311 S. Main St.

“Too many children are dying. Too many children. We must do something. It will be hard, but the time is now.”

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who begged lawmakers at an emotional hearing to act quickly to curb firearms.

“We’re professionals, and we’ve moved past that in the sense that there’s nothing that can be done other than, ‘Let’s move on, and let’s find a way to be better next year in spite of it.’”

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, ready to focus on 2013 after the bounty scandal.