Selover Public Library
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
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Getting Started
HOW?
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Register your child at Selover Library to participate.
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Read books to your child, any time between birth and the beginning of kindergarten.
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Mark off each book you read on your log (either on paper or with an app you download). You will receive one log for each 100 books.
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Return your completed log to Selover Library for a sticker and a prize. Many prizes will be books to help build your child’s library. Pick up your next log.
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Read until you reach 1000 books! Your child will receive special recognition when he or she meets this goal.
Remember:
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You can count books others read to your child at daycare, at story time, at relatives’, anywhere.
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You can count the same book every time you read it.
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You can make reading a part of your child’s daily routine—at naptime, snack time, or bedtime.
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You may only receive one milestone prize per library visit.
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WHY? ​
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Children who have books read to them are better prepared to do well in school. The more books, the better!
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Children who snuggle up and read with someone they love develop positive feelings about reading and books.
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It’s fun!
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WHAT DO I READ?
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Infants: Books with simple, bright pictures of familiar objects or other people…. Or just read so they hear your voice!
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Toddlers: Books with children doing familiar things like sleeping, eating, or playing. Books with simple stories, rhyme, rhythm, and words they can learn by heart. Books with animals, vehicles, peekaboo, and bedtime.
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Preschoolers: Similar to toddlers, but also books with stories, with humor, with children like themselves and different from themselves. Books about counting, ABCs, shapes, and sizes.
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Still not sure? Ask a librarian!
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​Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION: My child wants to read the same book over and over. May I only count it once?
ANSWER: No, count it every time you read it! Children learn through repetition, so feel free to read that favorite book each time your child asks.
QUESTION: May we count audio books?
ANSWER: Yes, if your child listens to the entire book.
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QUESTION: My child reads already. May we count books my child reads alone?
ANSWER: Yes, if you are sure your child is reading and not just mimicking a familiar story.
QUESTION: May I count books we read before I registered?
ANSWER: No, please only count books you read starting the day of registration.
QUESTION: My child listens to books read aloud at story time, daycare, grandma’s, etc. May I count those?
ANSWER: Yes! Feel free to count every book your child hears read aloud.
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QUESTION: My child is participating in Selover Library’s Summer Reading program. May I count the books I read to my child during Summer Reading?
ANSWER: Sure! If you are reading 20 minutes a day to your pre-kindergarten child, you are doing a great job! Please reward yourself by counting those books for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, too.
QUESTION: My child starts kindergarten this year. May I start the program even if I might not reach the 1000 books?
ANSWER: Of course! We will give your child prizes and praise at each 100-book milestone. Plus, you might just surprise yourselves and reach 1000 books!
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QUESTION: My child just started the program. May we still attend the annual celebration?
ANSWER: Yes! The party is for all children enrolled in 1000 Books Before Kindergarten at Selover Library.
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QUESTION:I keep misplacing my reading log. Is it okay if I keep track using an app on my phone?
ANSWER: Yes! Just keep your app up to date and show the librarian at each 100-book milestone to get your prize. Remember you can only get one prize per visit!
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QUESTION:My child enjoys listening to long books with chapters. It takes hours to read one book. I’m afraid we’ll never reach 1000 books!
ANSWER: Feel free to count every chapter or every 10 minutes of reading as 1 book. Just use your judgment of what seems fair.