Children
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Read a book to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler regularly to reach 1,000 books before Kindergarten!
Studies prove that reading to your child promotes literacy and encourages parent and child bonding.
Set your child up for academic success!
Log reading, earn badges all along the way and receive a brand new book for every 100 books read!
Numerous studies estimate that as many as one in five children have difficulties learning to read. Reading has been associated as an early indicator of academic success. Public formal education does not typically start until ages 5-6. Before then, parents and caregivers are the first education providers during the 0-5 early critical years. The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge is a simple (read a book, any book to your child, with the goal of reading 1,000 before kindergarten) and very manageable endeavor.
For each book you read together, color in one circle on your reading log. Earn book prizes for reading and raise strong readers!
Sign up your child ages 0-5 years old on the Beanstack app today at: https://santafelibrary.beanstack.com/reader365
Or ask for a reading log at Curbside Pickup (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Saturday from noon until 5:30 p.m.) at your nearest library.
For more information, please visit https://1000booksbeforekindergarten.org/
Online Programming
Check out our programs, stories, songs, crafts, experiments, and more on our Youtube Channel!
Got questions for the children’s librarians? We encourage children and youth to ask any and all questions via library@santafenm.gov!
Request Children’s Personalized Book Bundles For Checkout
Please fill out the form found here to request books on a particular topic for your child. We’ll call or email you when they’re ready for you to check out during our Curbside Pickup Service (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from noon until 5:30 p.m.).
You can also call your nearest Children’s Department, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., for assistance:
Main Library, (505) 955-6837; La Farge, (505) 955-4863; Southside, (505) 955-2828
Reading Suggestions for Children
Want help finding a book for your child? Below are some helpful links.
2020-2021 New Mexico Battle of the Books (Elementary School Level)
2020-2021 New Mexico Battle of the Books (Middle School Level)
American Library Association Recommended Reading for Children
Book lists from the Monroe County Public Library
Book lists from New York Public Library
What’s Next®: Books in Series database