Reading with your baby, toddler, or preschooler is one of the best ways to help them become a lifelong reader. Taking part in our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program encourages family bonding while your child develops the skills they'll need to succeed in school like building social and emotional skills, and sparking their creativity. Take that motivation, open one book, and get started. 

The Goal

Read 1000 books with your child before they start kindergarten.

That may seem like a big number, but you've got plenty of time. If you read one book each day with your child, that's 1095 books after three years. Reading three books each day will get you to 1095 books in only one year. (And yes, reading a favorite book over and over counts toward your goal!)

How to Participate

Register

To register for the program, create an account for your family on the library's Beanstack online resource. Be sure to add your child as a reader, and set their grade level to "Babies and Toddlers" or "Preschoolers." If you need help registering, visit Troy-Miami County Public Library, board the bookmobile, or visit the Oakes-Beitman Memorial LIbrary in Pleasant Hill.

• Go to Beanstack

Read

Spend time reading with your child. Books your child reads with a family member, caregiver, teacher, or at library storytime; all count towards the goal.

If you need good books to read ask a librarian for books that match your child's age and interests. Book suggestions are also displayed on signage in the children's area of the Troy library.

Log the Books You Read 

Logs are available using your Beanstack account or a paper tracking sheet (download and print one below), or you can pick one up at the library.

Come in and Claim Your Prize!

You can earn a sticker for each 100 books you read along the way. Once you reach 1000 books you'll receive a special prize and a certificate of completion. Our staff at the Troy Library, Oakes-Beitman Memorial Library, or the Bookmobile will enjoy celebrating this worthwhile achievement.

Get more answers here: Frequently Asked Questions