Grow a Reader

A drawing of a light green tomato on a darker green background in the shape of a circle

Reading with your child not only brings you closer together, it also sets them up for future success. Reading 1,000 books before kindergarten helps prepare children for school and a lifetime of learning. Just read to your little one every day. We can help make it more fun when you join Grow a Reader. 

Text reads: "Grow a Reader" in shades of green, with three leaves sprouting above the words
A drawing of two green daisy-shaped flowers on a pink circle-shaped background

Sign up at the Kids desk. You’ll get a set of sturdy activity cards on a ring–which fits nicely on a diaper bag!--and a “seed packet” booklet. Track the books you read together by coloring the seeds in the booklet. You can also sign up and track your progress online using Beanstack

A drawing of three green carrot shapes on a green circle-shaped background

For every 100 books read, you’ll get to put your child’s name up on the wall at the library. You’ll also get a fresh seed packet and a new activity card. When you get to 1000 books, there’s an extra special prize.

A drawing of four light green asparagus stalks tied together on a purple circle-shaped background

Reading 1,000 books sounds like a lot, but if you read a book a day it will take less than three years. Three books a day? Less than a year! All books count. Little ones sometimes want to hear you read the same book over and over, and that's just fine.  

A drawing of four green apples and one yellow apple on a blue circle-shaped background

And it is not a competition. Just getting into the habit of reading every day will set your child up for a lifetime of loving books. There are thousands of board books and picture books at the library and an expert staff to help you.