The Goal: Read 1,000 books with your child before they start kindergarten.

That may seem like a big number, but you’ll be surprised how quickly the stories add up. Reading a few books before bedtime, books read at the library and school, listening to audiobooks or Dial-a-Story, even reading that same favorite book over and over, they all count, and you’ll be reaching milestones before you know it!

You can read any book. If you read 1 book a day, you will have read 365 books in a year. That’s 730 books in two years and 1,095 in three years. Most children start kindergarten around the age of five, so you have more time than you think to read 1,000 books.

To help you get started and make it exciting, Dayton Metro Library is offering a small prize at key milestones (250, 500, 750 and 1,000 books). Simply register for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge in Beanstack (online or in person at any branch) and start reading. Track your progress with a paper tracker, the Beanstack app, or online, opens a new window. Prizes can be picked up at any Dayton Metro Library.