1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Did you know that when you talk, sing, or read to your babies or toddlers, you are helping their brains make connections? Those connections develop their language, literacy, and social-emotional skills. One of the best gifts you can give your child is reading to them. In fact, as Emilie Buchwald points out, “children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” The 1,000 Books before Kindergarten program can help make your child a reader.

Getting Started

  1. Register your child in the Crozer Library’s 1,000 Books before Kindergarten program.  You can stop by the Library to pick up your packet and free book.
  2. Log the books you and your child read. 
  3. Receive prizes as you and your child read.  Bring your reading logs to the Library for your prize or email us when you’ve reached the next milestone in Beanstack.
  4. Watch the joy on your child’s face as you spend quality time together and invest in your child’s emotional and cognitive development.  Time spent reading is NEVER wasted.

Think 1,000 books is more than you can handle?  Look at this math:

1 book a night = 365 books in a year
  = 730 books in two years
= 1,095 books in three years

 Most children start Kindergarten at age 5.
Get started now and you may reach and even exceed the goal!  

Keeping Track

You can use the paper logs in your packet and download more logs below. Or you can log books online using Beanstack.  Watch this video for Beanstack directions.

Earning rewards

At registration: Receive a free book and a packet with instructions and helpful resources
At 100 books: Receive a new book and stickers
At 200 books: Receive a new book
At 300 books: Receive a new book and stickers
At 400 books: Receive a new book
At 500 books: Receive two new books
At 600 books: Receive a new book and stickers
At 700 books: Receive a new book
At 800 books: Receive a new book and stickers
At 900 books: Receive a new book
At 1,000 books: Receive a certificate of achievement, a new book, and a gift card


Thanks to Rotary District 7450 and the Rotary Clubs of Chester, Media, Swarthmore and Wayne for providing the free books distributed through the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.

choosing books

Books Your Child Should Hear before Kindergarten

Books for Babies and Toddlers (0-24 months)

Books for Two and Three Year Olds

Books for Four and Five Year Olds

More information and resources from Delaware County Libraries