Children

Richards Memorial Library invites families to join the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program, a nationwide challenge that encourages parents and caregivers to regularly read aloud to their children. Studies show that reading aloud to children strengthens language skills, builds vocabulary, and teaches skills needed for kindergarten success. Most importantly, it encourages a lifelong love of books and learning.

How Can I Read 1,000 Books?

It's easy!

3 books a day for 1 year = 1,095 books

1 book a day for 3 years = 1,095 books

You can:

- Read the same book over and over.

- Read in any language.

- Count books read in storytime, daycare, or anywhere!

How Do I Get Started?

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is available to all families with children between the ages of birth and five years, as long as the child has not yet started kindergarten.

1. Sign Up: To participate, stop by the library for a free Welcome Folder or – if you can’t come in – call the library to let us know you want to participate.
2. Log your Reading: Keep track of all the books you and your child read together. You can download the official reading log sheets from the 1000 BBK website here, or fill in the bubbles on the simplified Richards Memorial Library sheets in the Welcome Folder, or develop a system of your own.
3. Check in with the Library after each 100 books for gifts of encouragement, including

• a free book at 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 700, and 900 books
• a Dunkin Donuts $5 gift card at 500 books
• a small Lego kit at 800 books
• a certificate, inclusion in the Wall of Fame, press release, and library facebook post (with parent permission) at 1000 books!

Resources:

• Books Your Child Should Hear Before Kindergarten 
• Scholastic Recommendations for Ages 3-5  

Databases are made possible by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and by the Massachusetts Library System.