BIDDEFORD, Maine (AP) — Former First Lady Barbara Bush has awarded grants totaling $445,000 that aim to improve reading skills across Maine.

Twenty-one communities were awarded grants Monday on the 20th anniversary of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

The grants support programs designed to improve the reading skills of parents and their children while developing solid literacy practices in the home.

The grants range from $5,000 to $25,000 and were awarded to school districts, libraries, adult education programs and nonprofits.