Why participate? Put your child on the right track for kindergarten! Numerous studies show the importance of early stimulation for brain development. There is no better time to lay the groundwork for independent learning than early childhood. Reading 1,000 books before kindergarten is a low pressure way to close the vocabulary gap and develop the early literacy skills so crucial to success in school. Any child can participate as long as he or she is not yet in kindergarten.

How does it work? Read 1,000 books with your child. Sound scary? Break it down! 1 book a day = 365 books a year. 3 years puts you over your goal with 1,095 books. 2 books a day? Complete the program in 16 months! Any books read to your child count, no matter who the reader is– Grandma, big sister, cousin, librarian, teacher. Does your child insist on reading the same book over and over? It counts! Yes, repeating books is okay! Reading to more than one child at a time? The book counts for each child!

How do I keep track? Keep track of the books you read with the library’s easy color-the-shapes log. You can pick up a log at your library or download one below. You can also use the free 1000 Books Before Kindergarten app to track your reading. For each 100 books you read, take the completed log into the library and get a special sticker or bookmark along with a milestone picture! We recommend that you keep a list of titles you read for keepsake purposes, but it isn’t required.