Judy Willis writes: "The experiences we have with narratives starting as young children establish supportive conditions in the brain for learning and remembering, based on a foundation of emotional connections to the experience of being read to or told stories. In addition, the familiarity of the narrative pattern becomes a strong memory-holding template."
Later in this article, Willis writes: "The four-step structure of narrative—beginning (Once upon a time...), problem, resolution, and ending (...and they all lived happily ever after)—forms a mental map onto which new information can be laid." More proof of how important it is to read to children! I also believe that the positive associations of having a story read to you would increase your ability to learn via story--you're predisposed to enjoy it!