Reading Challenges

Every year Bentonville area kids rise to the challenge to read all summer long. Our Summer Reading Club features paper and digital trackers, events, giveaways, and a grand prize. Summer Reading Club 2024 is over, but make sure you keep an eye on this page for Summer Reading Club 2025!

Bentonville Public Library wants kids to maintain good reading habits on their holiday breaks! Between Thanksgiving and Winter breaks, the Library hosts a Cozy Reading Club where kids earn fun prizes just for reading. Details about Cozy Reading Club are announced each November.

Readers in Kindergarten - 6th grade are encouraged to join the Ethan Putt Pledge! This program was created to honor a young BPL patron who had a passion for reading. Reading was never a chore for Ethan. He challenged himself to read at least 40 books a year!

Kids who read and record at least 40 books during the year will be recognized with their name placed inside a new library book for all to see. To register, stop by the Library's children's desk or visit our Beanstack page.

Complete reading challenges all year long with BPL's Beanstack challenges. Register for the monthly challenge, record your reading, and earn cool digital badges along the way. Beanstack challenges are open to patrons of all ages.

The concept is simple; the rewards are priceless! Read 1,000 books to your child before he or she enters kindergarten. It may sound daunting, but think of it this way:

If you read 1 book each day, you'll finish the program in 3 years.

If you read 3 books each day, you'll finish the program in 1 year.Reading together forms strong bonds between child and caregiver. It also increases vocabulary, encourages imagination, builds listening and communication skills, and helps children learn about the world around them. Establishing a reading routine at a young age could inspire a love of books that lasts a lifetime - so let's get started!

How to participate:

• Register in person at BPL's children's desk or through the Library's Beanstack page.
• On your reading log, mark off one circle for each book you and your child read together.
• When your log is complete, bring it to the library for a milestone keepsake and your next log.
• If you prefer to record your reading digitally, download the free Beanstack app. You will receive a notification each time you've earned a prize.

Prizes:

• Your child will earn a milestone “brag tag” for every 100 books read.
• At 1,000 books, your child will receive a free book and an invitation to an annual celebration for that year’s finishers. Your child will also be recognized with his or her name inside a new library book for all to see!

Frequently Asked Questions:

• When can I start tracking the books my child and I read together?
  • You can start tracking books the day you register for the program!
• How long do we have to finish the program?
  • 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is self-paced and can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to complete. There’s no deadline as long as you finish before your child enters kindergarten.
• Can my child complete the program more than once?
  • Yes, children are welcome to complete the program up to one time each year until they enter kindergarten.
• What books count toward the program?
  • Each and every book you read to your child counts - including ebooks and audiobooks! You can also include books read by teachers, librarians, and other caregivers. Does your child like to listen to the same book over and over again? You can log that book each time you read it!
• Can we read books in languages other than English?
  • Absolutely! We encourage caregivers to read in any language they prefer.
• Do you have a reading program for school age children too?
  • Yes, children who have already started school are encouraged to participate in the Ethan Putt Pledge.

To learn more about this program, please visit the library.

This year we're partnering with USDA Forest Service to engage Bentonville area children in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers, while exploring their local environment.

• Sign up for the challenge on Beanstack
• Read 3 books on wildfire prevention or the environment
• Earn 4 activity badges to complete the challenge
• When you're finished, come to the library for a Smokey the Bear sticker! 

You can select books from Smokey's Reading List at smokeybear.com, or choose your own.

Visit the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge website for more information, activities, coloring sheets, and more.