The .gov means it’s official.
Louisiana government websites often end in .gov. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a Louisiana government site.
The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.
Spark your child's love for reading by signing up for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten!
Sign UpThe 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge
Did you know that reading to your child is one of the most potent ways to boost brainpower? That’s why the Livingston Parish Library is pleased to offer 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, a simple, fun, and free early literacy program starts your child on the path to learning success!
And, yes, anyone can read 1,000 books before kindergarten!
Learn more below, or sign up by visiting your local LPL branch or by clicking here.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a simple, fun, and free early literacy program that fosters a love for reading, develops critical early learning skills, and encourages quality family time!
This self-paced reading challenge is intended for children ages 0-5, and the goal is simple: Read 1,000 books before your child starts kindergarten.
What are the benefits of 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten?
The concept of 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is simple, but the rewards are priceless! The benefits of this reading challenge include:
Boosting brain development and language skills
Research shows that talking, singing, writing, playing, and reading aloud with your young child stimulates brain development and builds language skills, especially in the first few years. Exposure to words through reading is crucial for building language pathways, a strong vocabulary, and an understanding of sentence structure.
Plus, starting to read to your child at a young age instills in them a lifelong love for books and reading, which fosters a lifetime of learning and confidence!
Setting children up for academic success
Starting to read to your child early promotes healthy development, equips your child to succeed in school, and develops a lifelong love of reading!
Children who are read to at home are more likely to do well in school and are better prepared for the challenges of formal education. This activity also helps children develop logical thinking skills, recognize cause and effect, and grasp abstract concepts.
Think of this as a jumpstart on your child’s education that will return dividends!
Fostering strong parent-child bonds
In addition to the academic and cognitive benefits of this reading challenge, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten allows families to create lasting memories through shared stories!
Reading together creates a special, nurturing time for bonding by providing a positive, screen-free activity that can build a strong, supportive relationship. Create a book-rich environment at home and talk to your child about what you read together. You’re sowing seeds that will grow for a lifetime!
Register today!
Families can register for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten online or by visiting any Livingston Parish Library branch. And be sure to collect your registration prize!
Read together
Once your child is registered for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, start reading together! The challenge is simple: Read any book to your child, with the goal of reading 1,000 before kindergarten.
And remember: Any book that is read to your child counts. Readers include teachers, family, friends, and Storytime. It’s okay if your child wants to read the same book over and over. Repetition is key to learning! Each time a book is read, it counts. You can even listen to audiobooks together!
Logging books
Any time you read a book to your child, log it into your child’s Beanstack. You can access Beanstack online or using the free Beanstack Tracker app.
We want to celebrate your child’s achievements! Whenever your child reaches a milestone in the program, visit your local LPL branch to receive rewards and take a commemorative photo. We celebrate every time your child reaches 100 read books!
Who can participate?
Any child ages 0-5 who have not yet entered kindergarten can participate.
How many of my children can participate?
All of your children can participate, provided they meet the required age, can participate.
Do we have to read books from the Livingston Parish Library?
You can read books from anywhere, such as your home, the doctor’s office, preschool, or other libraries. However, we hope you'll consider checking out our extensive catalog of physical books, eBooks, and audiobooks, available by clicking here.
Do I have to sign up for this reading challenge at a specific time?
No, you can sign up for this reading challenge at any time of the year.
Does it cost money to participate?
No! Registering and participating in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is completely free!
How long will this reading challenge take to complete?
The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading challenge is self-paced, and the length will depend on how often you read with your child. For instance, if you:
What if my child wants to read the same book over and over again?
That's great, because repetition is an essential part of early literacy! Each time you read a book, it counts. Write down the title every time you read the same book.
Can I count books that others (such as grandparents, babysitters, siblings, older family members) read to my child?
Of course! Any books read to or by your child counts, no matter who does the reading!
Can I count books read at the Library's weekly Storytime sessions?
Absolutely! Anyone who reads an entire book to your child counts. To learn more about Storytime, click here.
Can I read eBooks to my child, or can I only read physical books?
Reading is reading, so we encourage parents to read to their children via their preferred format! Our branches have an incredible selection of physical books that parents can choose from, but we also offer digital options through CloudLibrary and Hoopla!
So however you prefer to read, we've got you covered!
Sign up today!
Register your child for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten online or by visiting your local LPL branch. To find the branch nearest you, click here.
Do you need help getting started? Check out a list of children's books we put together!
To view the list, click here.