Summer is a great time to read to a child

Ruthanne Ostrander, 18 months old, just completed the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program at the Newton Public Library.

Ruthanne’s favorite book that she listened to was “Llama Llama, Red Pajama” by Anna Dewdney. Ruthanne’s older sister Rosaleigh is also a 1,000 book finisher, completing the program a couple of years ago! Ruthanne received a Dr. Suess bag full of items to help her get ready for kindergarten and a book to keep. Studies show being read to every day at home is the single biggest predictor of later success in school. Reading 1,000 books is not as hard as it might sound, if you read just one book per day to your child, it will take three years to hit the 1,000 books mark. The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is an ongoing program at the Newton Public Library, and you can register your child as soon as they are born. When you register you will receive a canvas 1,000 Books Bag which is great for hauling library books and you will also receive a board book to keep.Stop by the library to register or register at https://www.newtongov.org/892/1000-Books-Before-Kindergarten.