Share the love of reading with your child! Visit any Buncombe County Public Library to start participating in our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program launching August 12.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a nationwide initiative that encourages grown-ups to read 1,000 books with their young child (ages birth-five) before they enter kindergarten.

Studies show, a child’s brain develops rapidly in the first three years of their life. Reading with a child early on can help them develop pre-reading skills that will make it easier for them to read independently in school. Families who read to their children from a young age can help their child build early literacy skills such as letter recognition and building vocabulary. Remember, you are your child’s first teacher. When you talk, sing, read, write, and play, you are teaching them important skills that grow strong readers!

1. Any family with a child between the ages of birth to five can visit any Buncombe County Public Library location to receive a 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten booklet*.
2. As you read to your child, write down the title of the books you read on each line in this booklet. Encourage your child to color in each carrot as you go! Be sure to read and practice the early literacy tips shared at the top of each page!
3. When you reach the 500-book milestone, bring your book into any BCPL location to receive a custom canvas tote bag! Now you can carry more picture books on the rest of your reading journey! Keep going, you’re halfway there!
4. When you reach the 1000-book milestone, you’ve completed the program! Congratulations! Return your booklet to any BCPL location to receive a completion certificate!*.

*Don’t forget to fill out the “About Me” page at the start and end of the booklet to see how your child has grown and changed. There are also fun milestone pages to fill out to help your child discover more about themselves.