1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program is a fun program to engage young minds in the discovery of reading. To read 1,000 books sounds like a lot, but kids LOVE to listen to stories; this is a great opportunity for you and your kid to bond through reading. Join 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten to help your preschooler get ready to read!
How the Program Works:
- Register for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program and start tracking books and win prizes.
- You can also track books by coloring in the number of leaves of how many books you have read with our paper reading log. Download paper log (English / Spanish) or pick one up from your library location (find black and white printable logs below under Resources).
- For easy tracking, you can download the Beanstack Tracker App: iOS / Android and use the ISBN scan feature. You can also manage multiple accounts with this method.
- When your young reader reaches a milestone in the program, come to your library to redeem your rewards and virtual badges.
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- 100 stamp, virtual badge, and green leaf
- 200 stamp, virtual badge, and prize
- 300 stamp and a virtual badge
- 400 stamp and a virtual badge
- 500 stamp, virtual badge, silver leaf, and prize
- 600 stamp and a virtual badge
- 700 stamp and a virtual badge
- 800 stamp and a virtual badge
- 900 stamp and a virtual badge
- 1,000 stamp, virtual badge, gold leaf, and prize. Stay tuned for graduation details!
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to read 1,000 books to a child?
If you read only one bedtime story every night for three years you will have read 1,095 books! If you read three books a day to your child, in just one year you will have read 1,095 books! Read at your own pace. The most important thing is to remember the main goal of the program is to expose children to positive reading experiences.
- Do we have to read books from Mesa County Libraries?
You can read books from anywhere- your home, the doctor’s office, preschool, other libraries, etc.
- What if my child wants to read the same book over and over?
Repetition is key to learning. Each time you read a book, it counts. Make sure to mark, in your 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading log, every time you read the same book.
- I have more than one child I read to. Can I count the same title for each child?
Yes, you can!
- Can I count books that are read at story time?
Of course! Any and every book your children hears at story time counts for this program.
- What if my child listens to a book on CD? Can I count that?
Sure, as long as your child has listened to the entire story.
- My child has an electronic device that reads a story. Can I count that?
As long as your child is engaging in listening to the story, you can count it. Please don’t count if the child is playing the games that might be part of the electronic book version. We also recommend checking out our website for electronic book sites such as BookFlix and Tumble Books.
- My child “reads” independently books aloud. Can I count those?
If your child is only pretending to read, you should not count it. If your child has memorized a book you read together frequently and can read independently, then go ahead and count it.
- What about older siblings or kids?
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is designed for the early stages of development (0-5). MCPLD offers other reading programs that are specifically designed for older kids / older siblings. Make sure to check our website or with your local schools for more information.
Tips for success!
- Read 1 book a day and you will be finished in less than 3 years. But also feel free to make adjustments so you and your kid enjoy reading time. Reading the same book multiple times counts as multiple books.
- During the reading time, point and talk about the pictures in the book and ask questions along the way. Kids love to guess what is coming next in a book.
- Be flexible- Read to your kid even if your child is engaged in other toys.
- Keep books available to read throughout your house, offer as many reading opportunities as you can.
- Remember, anyone can read to a child. Come join us for our storytimes. Check our event calendar for storytime dates and times.
Resources:
- Booklists for Kids
- Beanstack Sign-up Instructions
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Coloring Pages
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading log – English – b&w
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading log – Spanish – b&w
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading log – English – color
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading log – Spanish – color
- Children’s events at Mesa County Libraries