Read with Lake Forest Library
Set sail for the reading high seas!
Embark on a program designed to grow a reader. You can start any time before kindergarten.
From birth to age 5, your child is experiencing a crucial time of growth and development. Reading with them every day helps prepare them for future success as readers and life‑long learners. Not to mention you’ll be spending quality time together while promoting a love of reading.
Along the way, your librarians are here to support you and cheer you on. Built into the program are reading logs, book recommendations, child development information, prizes, and celebrations, all to help you track your progress and stay motivated. We can’t wait to set sail with you. Anchors aweigh!
Reading 1000 books seems like a big task! However, if you break it down and read one book a day, that's 365 books in one year, 730 books in two years, and 1095 books in just 3 years.
Thank you to the Friends of Lake Forest Library for support of reading programs including 1000 Books Before Kindergarten!
On App or On Paper
We're happy to offer two ways to participate in 1000 Books Before Kindergarten:
- Online and with an app using Beanstack
OR - Old school with paper log sheets
Both formats have the same milestones and prizes, so you can pick your preferred way to log books and track your progress. You can even use both! Caregivers may like the app because they can track book titles, whereas youngsters often benefit from the tactile experience of coloring in circles on the paper log sheets.
1000 Books FAQ
You can start this program at any time before your child reaches Kindergarten.
Absolutely. All the books read during library storytimes and programs count towards your goal of 1,000 books.
Yes! Re-reading books is not only accepted but encouraged, and each time you re-read a book with your child, you can log it on your paper logs or in READsquared.
You can view reading lists on READsquared, and your librarians are happy to offer specialized recommendations at lakeforestlibrary.org/rec.
Log Books on paper
- Have your child color in a bubble on your log sheet for every book you have read together. Each log sheet contains 100 bubbles, representing one level of the program.
- When one of your child's log sheets is complete, stop by the Children's Library to pick up your prize and do your photo shoot.
And/Or Log Books in Beanstack
- Sign in on the Library's Beanstack page or open the Beanstack app.
- If using the Beanstack app, tap the big plus sign ➕. If using Beanstack in your browser, select the "Log Reading and Activities" button at the top of the page.
- Follow the instructions to log your books.
- When you reach a milestone, you will get a message in Beanstack letting you know to come into the Children's Library to pick up your prize and do your photo shoot.
Reading Milestones
Milestones and prizes are the same whether you log on paper or with Beanstack.
- Each time your child finishes one level of the program by reading 100 books, stop by the Children's Library for a sticker, a book prize, and a photo shoot. If you're logging on to Beanstack, you also get a digital badge for each 100 books you read.
- When your child has completed 1000 books before kindergarten, stop by the Library to pick up a fish stuffie, treasure chest prize, book prize, sticker, and photo shoot!
- Stay tuned to the Library newsletter and web calendar. Periodically we host a 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Party with a storytime, a celebration of 1000 Books finishers, and an opportunity for new children to register. When the time comes, be sure to register for the party and join us for fun galore!