1000 Books Before Kindergarten

1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a FREE self-paced program for babies, toddlers, and children. Celebrate milestones as your child develops early literacy skills to position them for school and lifelong success!

Research shows that sharing books, conversations, and songs with young children builds language skills. This type of sharing contributes to children’s healthy development, encourages parent and child bonding, provides skills children need to succeed in school, and helps ensure they become lifelong readers.

How it Works

1. Register at any Davenport Public Library location or online at davenportlibrary.beanstack.com.
2. Come to The Library and check out books to read or read books from home!
3. Log child's progress online with Beanstack or with paper reading logs available at The Library online (on the left of this page.) Books read during storytime, at daycare or at preschool, all count!

4. At each milestone, child will receive a prize:

   • 100 Books: Storytime at Home kit including a booklet of songs and rhymes, a scarf, and a shaker.
   • 250 Books: A new book
   • 500 Books: Mini pennant for child’s room and the child's picture on a special display at The Library
   • 750 Books: A new book!
   • 1,000 Books: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten t-shirt, child’s picture on display, and a personalized bookplate honoring the child's accomplishment inside their favorite library book.

For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at ysp@davenportlibrary.com or download a program brochure: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten (en español).

1000 Books Before Kindergarten is generously sponsored by the FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library and funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).