1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Studies show that families who read aloud to their children from birth help strengthen language skills and build vocabulary — two essential tools for when children begin learning to read. Reading together is also an excellent bonding opportunity. You will create lifelong memories as you help your child build early literacy skills. 

If you read just one book a night, you will reach more than 1,000 books after three years. And through the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, you can win prizes along the way!

Smiling father reads picture book aloud to baby

How it Works

Register and Keep Track

You can track your reading in a printed log book or online using our Beanstack website or app:

  • Pick up a free printed booklet at our Cherry Lane, Silverstone, Tiny Library, or Bookmobile locations. 
  • Register on our Beanstack page* or use the Beanstack app for Apple or Android devices to track online. Learn more about how to get started. 
  • Read any book to your newborn, infant, or toddler! Keep a tally of the books.
  • Don't forget to count the books others read to your child — including siblings, teachers, and other family members!
  • Make note of which books your child enjoyed the most.

Earn Prizes

Making reading part of each day is fun! To help incentivize your reading at home, you earn a prize each time you read 200 books.

  • Visit a Meridian Library location (Cherry Lane, Orchard Park, Silverstone, Tiny Library, or the Bookmobile) to receive a special prize for every 200 books you read.
  • Once you reach your 1,000-book reading goal, visit a library location to pick out a free book to keep!

This program is in partnership with Ada Community Library.