1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
About the Program
Any child from birth to the day they enter Kindergarten is able to sign up for “1,000 Books before Kindergarten” which encourages reading to young children. This program is open to residents of North Tonawanda, Wheatfield, and Pendleton.
Register for the program by visiting the Children’s Department at the library. After signing up, you and your child will receive a folder with your first reading log. Two different reading logs are included:
A title reading log to complete to receive prizes.
A coloring reading log for your child to color if he or she is able to or wishes to complete.
Reading Rewards
Use the reading logs to record 100 books at a time. Return to the library each time you and your child have read 100 books with your completed title reading log to receive a special sticker and your next 100 books reading log. You can also print every reading log from home below. Additional prizes will be awarded for various milestones.
When you have finished 1,000 books, your child will receive a free book. Everyone registered for the program will also be invited to a celebration party in August of that year.
How Long Does It Take To Reach 1,000 Books?
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. If you read only 3 books a day to your child, you will complete the program in less than a year.
| Child’s age at start of program | Number of books to read per day to complete program | Number of books to read per week to complete program |
| 0 years old | 1 | 4 |
| 1 year old | 1 | 5 |
| 2 years old | 1 | 7 |
| 3 years old | 2 | 10 |
| 4 years old | 3 | 20 |
1 book per day
x
3 years
=
1,095 books
10 books per week
x
2 years
=
1,040 books
3 books per day
x
1 years
=
1,095 books
What Books Count?
Books from the library or home
Books read at storytime if you attend
Books read on an iPad or e-reader
Books on CD or other audio books
Books in different languages
A book read by any family member, teacher, etc.
Books read for any library program throughout the year
Books may be read more than once and recorded each time