This program is designed for children ages 0 to 4 to encourage life-long reading habits. Once you've earned enough points, you'll receive a completion certificate you can print and share!  

This program is designed for children ages 5 to 12 to encourage life-long reading habits. Once you've earned enough points, you'll receive a completion certificate you can print and share!  

This program is designed for 13- to 18-year-olds to encourage life-long reading habits. Once you've earned enough points, you'll receive a completion certificate you can print and share!  

This program is designed for adults to encourage life-long reading habits. Once you've earned enough points, you'll receive a completion certificate you can print and share!  

The Mississippi County Library System invites you to participate in a  free program that encourages you to read 1,000 books with your child before he or she starts kindergarten.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The concept is simple; the rewards are priceless. Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to read 1,000 books (yes, you can repeat books!) before your child starts kindergarten. It’s not as hard as it sounds! If you read just 1 book a night, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That’s 730 books in two years, and 1,095 in three years. Most children start kindergarten at around 5 years old, so you have more time than you think!

The Mississippi County Library System is here to make reading fun! Come by your local branch (Blytheville, Keiser, Leachville, Manila, Osceola, Wilson) for a free sticker chart. Track your child’s progress on our app, show off your kid’s reading on our Hall of Fame, and pick up rewards as your child hits milestones.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Read with your child. Studies show that reading just 20 minutes a day at an early age helps students have higher reading levels in elementary school. Reading with your child provides a great opportunity for bonding: reading together is fun and will create life-long memories for both of you.

Keep track of the book titles you read with your child. Use a sticker chart from the library, log titles on our app, or keep a reading log journal as a keepsake. Don’t forget to count the books your child reads with teachers, siblings, and friends

Get rewarded! Bring your child to your local library for a reward at every milestone! Your child will love moving up to our Hall of Fame!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who can participate in this program? Any child from birth until he or she enters kindergarten. Just sign-up at your local MCLS library!

How long will the program take? It can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to complete the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. The program is self-paced and depends on how often your child reads.

How many children can participate? Any child who has not yet entered kindergarten is eligible. Make it even more fun and read as a family!