‘ 1,000 books before kindergarten’

‘ 1,000 books before kindergarten’

Reading program sets children on the path to success ‘ one book at a time’

Crittenden County Library System Families are invited to join the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program at Woolfolk Public Library.

The “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program is a nationwide challenge that encourages parents and caregivers to regularly read aloud to their children. By reading just one book a night, families can reach the 1,000book goal in three years and provide their children essential early literacy skills.

Research shows that the most reliable predictor of school success is being read to during early childhood. Reading to children from an early age can help close the vocabulary gap and prepare children to enter kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed.

Most importantly, sharing books with children promotes a lifelong love of books and reading.

The “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program is available to all families with children between the ages of birth and five years. The Earle Public Library is also participating in the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” initiative. Earle Librarian PJ Taylor stressed the importance of the program.

“We have to get these children interested in reading at an early age,” said Taylor.

“We want to encourage them. If they can read a thousand books before they start kindergarten, they will be ready for kindergarten.”

Registration is open now.

For more information, call the Woolfolk Library at (870) 739-3238, or e-mail the library at woolfolklibrary@ yahoo.com, or call the Earle Library at (870) 792-8500, or e-mail the library at

crittearlelib@gmail.com. The program is free of charge.

From Cathy C. Forester