1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge.
What is 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten?
It is an initiative to get parents and caregivers to read to the babies, toddlers, and Pre-K age children in their lives. Reading to a child is great way to bond and create warm memories together. It fosters a fondness for books that can last a lifetime. Early successful language activities, such as sharing stories, contribute to the prevention of reading difficulties in school. to
How do we participate?
Parents/caregivers can register online and log their books online using the free ReaderZone app (enter participation code 1b62d). Caregivers can track multiple reader profiles under one account. You can log the same book more than once and if you read to multiple children, it can be logged for all of them. Note, ReaderZone is the same app we use for our summer reading program.
Each time you read 100 books to your child(ren), show us the ReaderZone achievement screen to move their climber token and receive any reward if earned.
- At 100 - 400: Move your climber token.
- At 500: Move your climber token and get to choose a book to keep from a special collection.
- 600-900: Continue to move your climber token.
- 1,000!: Move your climber token to the winner area, receive an achievement certificate, and get an invite to the yearly 1,000 Book Challenge party!
1KB4K Bonus Reads & Check-In Days!
Join us for LME Library's 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (1KB4K)! Our Bonus Reads & Check-in program happens once a month at 9:15 AM for ages 18 months to 5 years. Ms. Anita will read 5 books for them to add to their reading goal. If you've reached a milestone, move your climber up the wall! 
2024 Dates: Aug. 28, Sep. 25, Oct. 23, Nov. 20, & Dec. 18
2025 Dates: Jan. 29, Feb. 26, Mar. 26, Apr. 23, no May, & Jun. 18
Numerous studies estimate that as many as one in five children have difficulties learning to read. Reading has been associated as an early indicator of academic success. Public formal education does not typically start until ages 5-6. Before then, parents and caregivers are the first education providers during the 0-5 early critical years.
The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge is a simple and manageable endeavor. Read a book (any book) to your child, with the goal of reading 1,000 before kindergarten. If one book a night is read, that equates to 365 books a year. In 3 years, more than 1,000 books will be shared. Participants track their books using the free ReaderZone app. Each time you read 100 books to your child(ren), show us the ReaderZone achievement screen to move their climber token and receive any reward if earned. Parents can also include readings by others, such as grandparents or siblings, in the child’s reading log. If you read to multiple children at once that book can be logged in all their logs. Children who complete the 1,000 books challenge are invited to an annual party!
Reading to your child(ren) is a great way to bond and create warm memories together. It fosters a fondness for books that can last a lifetime. Early successful language activities, such as sharing stories, contribute to the prevention of reading difficulties in school.
A home life that includes positive experiences with reading and the library ensures positive attitudes toward reading once in school. The experiences with talking and listening during preschool years, such as when a parent and child read together, help prepare the child to master reading and writing skills in the early elementary school years. Reading has long been associated as an early indicator of academic success.
For more information about the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge, call the library at 309-385-4540.
