The kids room at the Petoskey District Library is a great place for kids and their grown ups to choose books, read together, play a board game, work on puzzles, and meet new friends.
Read books to your newborn, infant, or toddler. The goal is to read 1,000 books before your little one starts kindergarten. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a way to help your child build a love of reading and books while spending time together. Families who start reading aloud to their children at birth help strengthen language skills and build vocabulary–two important tools when children begin learning to read.
How does the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program work? |
When you participate in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten at the Petoskey District Library, you will visit the library and we will sign your child up and get you started. You can keep track of the books you read together with your child on a paper log, in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten app, or on a scrap piece of paper! Number of books log. Titles of books log. |
Who can take part? |
Any child from birth until kindergarten, at any time, can sign up (with a grown-up, of course). |
Prizes |
Once you have read 100 books, visit for a sticker. When you and your child reach 1,000 books, he or she will receive a book and a Certificate of Achievement. Congratulations! You did it! You and your child shared a wonderful time together getting kindergarten ready! |
1,000 books is a big number! |
Does reading 1,000 books seem like a lot? We believe in you and know you can do it! If you read one book a night, that's 365 books in a year, 730 in two years, and 1,095 in three years. Or 3 books a day for 1 year = 1,095 books 1 book a day for 3 years = 1,095 books |
The rules of reading are simple |
Read the same book over, and over, and over if you want. Repetition is important for young children! Books read by teachers, family, and at Storytime count. Read in any language. Enjoy the time together knowing you're giving your child a great start! |
Get connected |
The library is proud to partner with organizations around the county that help families with young children get ready for school. Great Start Collaborative of Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim counties The Health Department of Northwest Michigan has many programs and resources for families. |
If your K-3rd grader is reading below grade level and attends school within the library's service area email Val Meyerson or call 231-758-3120 for further information.
Growing Readers Together is a three-pronged approach for 1st-3rd grade students who are below reading level to enhance their reading proficiency: direct tutoring for students, Family Literacy Nights to help families learn more skills to support their student’s achievements, and materials for students to take home.
Belfry welcomes everyone at the entrance of the kids room. Belfry is a donation from the now closed SEE-North organization. This 7-foot tall barn owl was sculpted by Sara Tisdel, a local art teacher, and a group of teen artists. The base was created by Tom Moran of Moran Ironworks. The sculpture is modeled after SEE-North's real owl mascot, Belfry T. Barnowl.