An intergenerational literacy program was developed for 40 teenage parents and their children enrolled in an alternative education center. The program was designed to empower teenage parents to develop the emerging literacy of their children while reducing their own literacy deficiencies. The Once upon a Time-Together program acquainted teenage parents with the benefits and strategies of reading aloud, the selection of developmentally appropriate storybooks, and the services of the public library. Time was provided for the parents to read aloud to their children. Critical thinking skills were initiated by teaching the parents story structure and by using the computer to write original storybooks. Motivational rewards were included in the form of preparing and enjoying culinary creations of storybook characters and plots. Results were measured by comparative analysis of pre- and post-statistics of a parent diagnostic reading instrument, parent surveys, portions of the Brigance Inventory of Early Development, and audio, video and journal documentation. The statistical results indicated a positive influence of reading aloud on the child and the parent. Surveys indicated increased book ownership and time spent reading aloud together. (Forty-eight references, and 19 appendixes of consent forms, survey instruments, data, and instructional material are attached.) (RS)