NH 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten follows a nationwide early literacy initiative that encourages families to read to their young children and to use the resources available to them at their public libraries. It is a fun, exciting, and free way to start your child on the path to reading!

WHY 1,000 BOOKS?
This milestone is based upon research showing that the more children hear books read aloud to them the more prepared they are to learn to read on their own when they enter kindergarten.
It’s designed to be both challenging and achievable!

READING ALOUD TO BABIES AND TODDLERS…
Builds listening, memory, and concentration skills
Assists with language development
Increases vocabulary
Introduces concepts like letters, numbers, shapes, and colors in a fun way
Teaches about the world around them
Inspires curiosity and wonder

HOW CAN WE READ 1,000 BOOKS?
1,000 books sure sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? It’s easier than you think!
1 book a day for 3 years = 1,000+ books
10 books a week for 2 years = 1,000+ books
3 books a day for 1 year = 1,000+ books
And every book counts!

COUNT EVERY BOOK YOUR CHILD HEARS:
Books you read—every time you read them
Books read to your child by others
Books read during storytime, daycare, and preschool

HOW DOES IT WORK? It’s simple!
REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAM at the Library and get your first READING LOG.
When you finish your first 100 books come in to show us your log. We’ll give you an achievement sticker and a new reading log.

AFTER EVERY 100 BOOKS YOU READ, come in for an achievement sticker and a new log.
When you finish reading and recording 1,000 books, you will be given your “Certificate of Achievement” and your very own library book bag with our special NH 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten logo on it!