Thanks to a grant from the Boeckling Charitable Trust, we are pleased to
introduce our new 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Club. Reading to children beginning at birth assists them in building their vocabulary, aids in letter recognition, helps practice active listening skills, sets them on the path for academic success, and so much more.
How to participate:
- Register online here or sign up at the Youth Service’s Desk the next time you visit us.
- Select and check out books in the Youth Service’s Department to share with your child.
- Read any book with your newborn, infant, toddler, or preschooler. Not only does this aid in building lifelong learning skills but also provides a great opportunity for you to bond with your child.
- Keep track of the books that you read to your child and log them using the paper reading log that we provide. Having your child mark books off on the reading log is a great early literacy activity.
Frequently asked questions:
1000 books seems like a lot! How will we read that many books before Kindergarten?
If you read just 1 book a night, you will have read 365 books with your child in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1095 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! Does 1 book a day seem unmanageable? Set a goal of reading 5 books with your child any time per week. That’s 260 books in a year and you can still read 1000 books with your child in less than 4 years! The main goal of this program is to practice early literacy skills with your child so feel free to go at your own pace and read with your child whenever you can!
Can I count the books that are read to my child during Storytime or other Library Programs towards our 1000 Books?
Yes! Any book that is read to your child by anyone can count as a book read for this program. We highly encourage you to attend our Storytimes where, besides being read to, you and your child will also have an opportunity to participate in other activities to promote early literacy skills.
Can I count the same book more than once?
Yes! You may count the same title as many times as your child wants to read it, but we also encourage you to read a wide variety of books to increase your child’s exposure to different vocabulary and concepts. Repetition helps to strengthen neural connections in your child’s brain. Enjoying a book over and over again sets the foundation for a love of reading.
Can I read any book, or just the ones on the recommended booklist?
You can read any book for this reading challenge. Our list of recommended titles is a great place to start, but you are welcome to read any book!
Can I read books that my child received as part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio and have them count towards their 1000 books?
Yes! We know that children love receiving these books in the mail and highly encourage that you read them to or with your child. If you are not participating in Imagination Library yet, please sign up here. Any child ages birth – 5 is eligible to participate.
Can I wait to pick up all the prizes at one time?
Yes, you can, but we highly encourage you to pick up prizes as your child earns them. Each 100-book milestone reached earns a reward that comes with an instruction sheet on how to use the item to promote early literacy skills with your child.
Do I need a library card to participate?
No, a Sandusky Library Card is not required to participate. However, having a library card can help you access books to read with your child for free!
How old does my child have to be to participate?
There is no minimum age to participate. This program is for children from birth to not yet in kindergarten.
What rewards will my child receive?
When you register, your child will receive a drawstring backpack with a 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Club Brag Tag, a recommended book list, and a paper reading log. For every 100 books that you read to your child, you will receive an additional brag tag to collect and attach to the bag along with a developmentally appropriate early literacy tool with an instructional activity sheet. Additionally, when you complete our program your child’s first name and last initial will be added to our Wall of Fame located in the Youth Services Department.
When is the deadline to finish reading 1,000 books?
You must complete the program before your child enters kindergarten. You have plenty of time to finish!
Who can participate?
Any child who hasn’t started kindergarten is encouraged to participate. You can start at any time before your child enters kindergarten.
Why should my child join the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Club?
Sharing books and stories is important for a child’s brain development.
- Children who are read to at an early age have larger vocabularies when they enter school.
- The most important predictor of school success is being read to at home during early childhood.
- Reading aloud to infants and children encourages social, emotional, and cognitive development.