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1000 books before Kindergarten

1000 books before Kindergarten banner

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!

How it works:

  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.

Resources for Building Early Literacy Skills with your Child:

Every Child Ready to Read® emphasizes the role that parents and caregivers play in helping their child build early literacy skills. Every Child Ready to Read® has identified five early skills that caregivers can model when reading to their children: talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing. Check out these flashcard guides for more practice.

Read 2 Succeed is a local, literacy-based nonprofit, with a mission to "close the race-based opportunity gap through community-powered literacy programming that engages children, families, and community partners." Check out their Family Reading Guide to help your young child get the most from their reading experience with a grown-up.

The Center for Early Literacy Learning provides caregivers with downloadable handouts for practicing early literacy skills for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

FAQ

Absolutely! Studies show repetition is an important part of learning and child development.

Any books you’d like! Check out our reading lists recommended by youth services staff:

  • Baby
  • Toddler
  • Preschool

Attend a BCPL story time at one of 12 locations and be sure to check out some great books from your local library while you’re there.

You have until your child enters kindergarten to complete the program. It doesn’t matter if it takes you a few months or a few years to read 1,000 books, we’re just glad you’re reading! Did you know that if you read just three short books a night, in one year you will have read 1,095 books, more than enough to complete the challenge?

Locate & Contact

Buncombe County Public Libraries

Contact

P: (828) 250-4700

E: Public Libraries

67 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801