Reading to your kids

My SOs niece just had her 3rd birthday and we were perusing gift ideas and I thought maybe getting her some books (like some bedtime stories) would be good. I was thinking about it and dont think they really have (m)any. Then my fiance says "[her mom] probably wont read them to her. They dont really have books, the kids have iPads and sleep with the TV on. Let's just get her a toy" 🥺

It just made me so sad. So it got me wondering -- how important do you think reading to your kids is?