What is 1000 Books Before Kindergarten?

Numerous studies show that reading to babies and young children is crucial in the development of language, can predict school success, and fosters social and emotional learning. The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge is a simple way to help your child develop these skills

Just read a book, any book, to your child with the goal of reading 1,000 before kindergarten. Read board books, read picture books, or read a page from Shakespeare. Read before nap time, after lunch, or during bed time. Have older siblings read to younger siblings. Visit the Library for storytime. Read the same book 43 times. All of it counts!

If you read just 1 book a night to your child, they will have read:

  • 365 books in a year
  • 730 books in two years
  • 1,095 books in three years.

If your child starts kindergarten at around 5 years of age, they will have read more than 1,000 books!

Get started!

Register for the program and start logging books

If you prefer paper logs you can stop by the Library and pick them up or you can download them here:

  • 1-100 Books
  • 101-200 Books
  • 201-300 Books
  • 301-400 Books
  • 401-500 Books
  • 501-600 Books
  • 601-700 Books
  • 701-800 Books
  • 801-900 Books
  • 901-1000 Books

If you prefer an app for tracking you can download the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten App

Every 100 books, return your completed log to Bayne Library (or show us your app!) for a milestone sticker.

When you’ve read 1,000 books, your child receives their final prize and a special certificate!

Additional Resources