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1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program

1000 Books for Kindergarten

Join HCPL as we encourage a fun, family goal of reading 1,000 books with your child before they reach kindergarten. Doing so will build their vocabulary and develop positive lifelong reading habits. Visit https://hcplonline.readsquared.com to register and log your books. For more information, please contact a Children’s Librarian at your favorite HCPL location.

Tips for reading 1,000 books!

  • Visit the library once a week and check out 10 books to read every time you go
  • Read at least one book a day
  • Download the 1,000 Books before Kindergarten coloring sheet. Color in each circle every time you finish reading a book
  • Count books read anywhere— including story times or at pre-school
  • Books read for Summer Reading will count towards both programs
  • Reading one book multiple times is okay, and actually encouraged. Young children love repetition (and it counts each time you read it!)
  • Choose books from different formats and genres to add variety—picture books, nonfiction, folk & fairy tales, I Can Reads, eBooks, audiobooks, etc.