1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Dear Parents/Caregivers:

On behalf of the 1,000 Books Foundation, we invite you to participate in this free program which encourages you to read 1,000 books with your child before he or she starts kindergarten.

Program Overview

The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless. Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes you can repeat books) before your precious one starts kindergarten. Does it sound hard? Not really if you think about it. If you read just 1 book a night, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around 5 years of age, you have more time than you think (so get started).

The key is perseverance. Make it exciting. When your children reach a milestone, give him/her a small reward (stickers, backpacks, books).  When your child has read 100 books, bring them to the library to receive their free book tote bag.  When they have read 500 books, they will receive a free book.   When they read 1000 books and have completed the program, they will receive a ten dollar gift card for Barnes and Noble!

How to Participate

• Read with your child. Studies have shown that reading with your child provides a great opportunity for bonding.  Reading together is fun and will create life-long memories for the both of you. 

• Keep track of the titles of the books that you read with your child. Make a record of what you are reading in a spiral notebook, on our convenient reading log sheets, online, or by whatever method you want. The journal itself will make a great keepsake item for your precious child. 

• If you are able to, make sure to keep a record of “any” book that is being read to your child. This includes teachers and siblings. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who can participate in this program? Any child from birth until he or she enters kindergarten can participate in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.  

• How long will the program take? The program will take anywhere from a few months to a few years. The program is self-paced and will depend on how often you read together. 

• How many of my children can participate? All of them (provided they have not yet started kindergarten).  Make it even more fun and read as a family!

Printable Sheets

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

  www.1000booksbeforekindergarten.org