1000 Books Before Kindergarten (1000B4K) is a self-guided, ongoing reading program designed to help parents prepare their children for one of life's big milestones - kindergarten!
Studies have shown that the more children hear books read to them at home, the more prepared they will be to learn to read upon entering school. The goal of 1000B4K is to encourage every child to be exposed to at least 1000 books before kindergarten.
When a child has read 500 books, they will receive a purple book bag and book. At 1000 books, they will receive a special prize from the Friends of the deAngeli Branch Library.
Register for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten through our online tracking system Beanstack. Contact your local LDL branch for more information about Beanstack or 1000B4K.
Scroll down to see answers to frequently asked questions about 1000B4K.
Upcoming Events
Babies and their caregivers are invited to a special themed social event made just for them every other month. A short storytime followed by playtime with their new friends. Ages 0-2.
Kindergarten Readiness is a one-hour workshop for parents and caregivers with children 3-5 years old. We teach fun and re-creatable activities at home to help get your little one ready for kindergarten!
Child Tutoring: Tutoring is for elementary children between grades 1st through 4th who need assistance in reading and/or math. Kids will have one-to-one instruction with a trained tutor.
Disclaimer(s)
Family Literacy Center program
This program presented by the Family Literacy Center. Please call the Family Literacy Center at (810) 664-2737 to register.
Join us for storytime, craft and play time! For kids ages 0-5. Registration not required.
Storytime and crafts are selected with preschoolers in mind, but kids of all ages and their families are welcome to join. Adult participation is required.
2025 Schedule
1000B4K FAQs
Any child from birth until kindergarten. You can sign up by visiting any branch of the Lapeer District Library (beginning January 5, 2016).
Children can be read to from the day they are born. From the time they are infants, children learn language and other important skills that will help them learn how to read.
Developing literacy skills begins at birth and continues throughout the toddler and preschool years. The best way to ensure a child has the skills necessary to learn to read is having someone read aloud to them. As a parent or caregiver, you are your child's first teacher. Home is where your child begins to learn. When you talk, sing, read, write, and play, you are helping your child get ready to read!
Yes! Completion will take from a few months to a few years, depending on how often you read.
There is no required or suggested list of books. The picture book collection at the library is a great place to start!
Any time your child listens to a whole book, it counts! It can be a library book, a book from home, a book read at story time or daycare, even an audiobook or an e-book. If your child asks to read the same book every night at bedtime, it counts each time you read it.
