1000 Books Before Kindergarten

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”
– Emilie Buchwald

What is 1000 Books Before Kindergarten?

Child readingThe 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program concept is simple- read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, or toddler to better prepare them for one of life’s early milestones: Kindergarten. Public formal education does not typically start until ages 5-6 making parents and caregivers the first education providers children can have during the critical early years before 5. Research shows that the more children are read to, the larger their vocabulary becomes, and the more prepared they are to begin school. The most effective way to get your child ready to learn is to read to them.  The goal is to encourage parents to read 1000 books with their children before sending them to kindergarten.

Who can participate?

  • Any child from birth until he or she enters kindergarten may participate in the program.
  • Expectant mothers can even sign up their little ones before they arrive!

Register for Bean StackHow does it work?

Register –  To register for the program, create a Beanstack account for your family. Be sure to add your child as a reader. If you need help registering, visit the Children’ Services desk anytime during open hours. Check out the apps available at the Apple App Store and Google Play!

Track Your reading – Use your Beanstack account to log the books your family reads. You can also record the books you read on a paper reading log you can pick up at the library.ent’s desk anytime during open hours. Check out the apps available at the Apple App Store and Google Play!

  • Participants do not have to read 1000 separate titles and there is no required reading or booklist associated with the program. Books are simply counted each time that they are read.
  • Books shared during library story times can count towards your 1000 books!

Every 100 Books Read – Your child will earn an online badge in Beanstack every time they reach a milestone on the way to their 1000 books goal. Participants are also eligible for a special early literacy focused prize from our prize box every time they read 100 books, located at the reference desk in the Children’s Service department.

1000 Books Read –  After reading all 1000 books, they’ll earn a tote bag, copy of Mrs. Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate, and a certificate of completion! Library staff will also snap a special photo to celebrate all the children who made it to 1000 books that year.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten® is a registered trademark of the 1000 Books Foundation, used with permission.