Lodewick Children's Library: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

The Ridgefield Library has expanded upon the offerings from the 1000 Books Foundation by providing 100 distinct totes each with ten titles surrounding a theme. Similarly, you do not need to participate in the 1K Books Challenge to check out the 1K Books totes. You can read and track any books—you are not limited to the 1K Books collection or reading lists to participate in the program and earn milestones and recognition.

The 1000 Books Foundation is a Nevada 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity which  operates the nationwide (and in Canada) 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge. The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless. Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes, you can repeat books) before your precious one start kindergarten. 

Learn more at the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten website

Register for the 1KBooks Reading Challenge

• When you register for the 1KBook Program, you will receive a folder with a milestone sticker tracker and color-in book tracker, information and tips on reading with your child and coloring sheets. 
• Receive Milestone Stickers for every 100 books
• Your Kindergartener will receive a prize once they have read 1000 books!

Log Books

• To log books, scan the ISBN barcode on the back of a book or input the title
• Earn a logging badge and a small prize every 100 books logged
• You can read any books to do this challenge and are not limited to using the 1KBooks Totes collection.
• If you want to keep track of which totes you have already checked out, mark each as completed activities in Beanstack.

Created by Megan Lambert, this method of reading with children combines Visual Thinking Strategies and Picturebook design to explore meaning through of the art and design of a picturebook.

Visual Thinking Strategies are a way to interact with art through using open-ended questions to find meaning. For example, ask question like: what do you think is happening in this image? Why? What do you think will happen next?

Parts of a Picturebook: Ask yourself, and through your questions: how do I make meaning out of the artistic and design choices present in each design element of this book?  (See reverse side for a breakdown of some basic elements).

Your Role as Facilitator: You read the text, but allow children to discuss the illustrations and other elements of the book’s art and design. Try not to lead them to specific ideas or force meaning; this approach is for the child to create meaning from the images.

Listen & Pay Attention: Notice the verbal and non-verbal reactions to the readings of both words and illustrations and respond with more open-ended questions. Try to incorporate the vocabulary of picturebook design into your questions.

Before reading the story with children, talk about:

· Trim size of the book (portrait, landscape, tall, skinny etc.)

· The illustrations on the cover and the jacket (i.e. are they same?)

· The colors and illustrations in the endpages (i.e. what do you think this means? Are the front endpages the same as the back endpages?)

· The title, author, illustrator on the title page

· The copyright page and dedication

While reading the story with children, talk about:

· Colors, shapes, texture

· Plot and what they think will happen and why

· How different elements make them feel

· What they like about different illustrations and why

Book Elements Overview:

• Books in this collection can only be checked out with the whole bag. Individual titles cannot be checked out.

• Totes must be checked out and returned to Circulation Desk or the Children’s Services Desk. 

• Replacement fee for lost tote is total of contents, bag, and a $10 fee; lost bag is $10; book prices are listed in the contents of each tote; the Library will not accept replacement copies of lost titles.

• One (1) 1KBBK tote can be checked out for 14 days per card with a current Ridgefield Library Card.

• Patrons are unable to place holds on kits.

• Kits can be renewed one (1) time for an additional 14 days.

• Staff reserves the right to use totes for programs or other Library-related events at any time.