These children are participating in the 100-book challenge!

June 2, 2025

The 100-Book Challenge: Can Your Child Read 100 Books in One Year?

Little Sunshine's Playhouse • Early Childhood Education Family Activities Home & Lifestyle

What if one simple goal could help your child fall in love with reading, build their vocabulary, and create a lasting family tradition? That’s the idea behind the 100-Book Challenge—a playful and motivating way to celebrate literacy, imagination, and time together.

Reading 100 books in a year may sound like a lot, but with the right mindset and a little structure, it’s a realistic and rewarding challenge for young children and their families. Whether your child is just starting to explore picture books or already flying through early readers, this goal can spark excitement and early literacy in young readers.

Let’s dive into how the 100-Book Challenge works—and why it might be one of the best decisions you make this year.

Why 100 Books?

The number 100 is bold enough to feel like an exciting goal, but still totally achievable with some consistency (about 2 books a week). For children, especially those in preschool and early elementary years, it encourages:

  • Daily reading habits
  • More time away from screens
  • Better listening and comprehension skills
  • Early literacy growth
  • A sense of accomplishment

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, reading aloud to children helps build neural pathways in the brain that are essential for language development. Every book read is a building block toward stronger literacy—and the more your child hears and sees language, the more it sticks.

Who Is the 100-Book Challenge For?

Everyone! This challenge is especially powerful for:

  • Toddlers and preschoolers who love repetition and are just beginning to connect words to pictures.
  • Emergent readers who are starting to recognize letters, words, and patterns in storytelling.
  • Reluctant readers who need a fun and low-pressure way to grow confidence.

You can adapt the challenge for different age groups by adjusting the length and complexity of the books. Board books and picture books totally count—reading is reading!

How to Start the Challenge

Ready to take it on? Here’s how to make the 100-Book Challenge a fun and stress-free adventure.

  1. Set Your Start Date

You don’t have to wait until January! Start any time of year—maybe on your child’s birthday, the first day of school, or just a random Tuesday. Mark the date so you can track your progress over the next 12 months.

  1. Choose a Way to Track Your Books

Tracking is key! It helps you and your child see the progress and celebrate along the way. Try one of these:

  • A printable coloring chart (color in a book icon for each read)
  • A sticker chart or poster
  • A notebook with titles and short reviews
  • A digital app or spreadsheet
  • A paper chain with one link per book

Bonus: If you’re part of a preschool like Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool, ask if they’re participating in an early literacy initiative. Many schools support reading at home with shared charts or family reading logs.

  1. Make the Books Easy to Access

Rotate your child’s books frequently so they stay excited about their choices. Use library trips, thrift stores, or even book swaps with friends. Try:

  • Keeping a small basket of books in each room within the reach of your little one
  • Creating a “book nook” where your child can read any time
  • Choosing seasonal or theme-based books each month

100 Books… Really?

Yes! Here’s what 100 books per year actually looks like:

  • 2 books per week = 104 books/year
  • 1 book every 3 days = 122 books/year

It’s more manageable than it sounds—and repetition counts. If your child asks for The Very Hungry Caterpillar every night for a week? That’s 7 books read.

Tips for Making It Fun (Not Stressful)

This challenge should never feel like a chore. Here’s how to keep the spark alive:

✨ Make It a Family Ritual

Read together before bed, during breakfast, or after school. Create a reading time that feels cozy and sacred—even if it’s only 10 minutes a day.

🎭 Get Into Character

Use silly voices, act out parts, or encourage your child to “read” back to you from the pictures. Dramatic play makes books come alive.

📚 Let Your Child Choose

Even if they pick the same book over and over, or love books about trucks more than anything else—go with it! Choice empowers and excites young readers.

🌟 Celebrate Milestones

Make a big deal out of 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 books! Use small prizes, certificates, or family outings to celebrate the effort—not just the finish line.

What Counts?

Parents often ask: Does it still count if…

  • We read the same book 10 times? ✔️ Yes.
  • It’s a board book with only a few words? ✔️ Yes.
  • My child listens while I read? ✔️ Yes.
  • We listen to an audiobook? ✔️ Yes (especially if you talk about it afterward).

The point isn’t perfection—it’s participation. Building positive reading experiences matters far more than checking every “educational” box.

Our Favorite Books to Start With

Need a few suggestions? Here are some beloved books across age groups to kick off your challenge:

For Toddlers & Preschoolers:

For Early Readers:

For even more great children’s books explore here! 

Bring It Into the Classroom

If your child is enrolled at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool, the 100-Book Challenge is a great way to extend learning from the classroom to home. Our Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum encourages reading, storytelling, and child-led exploration. This challenge gives your child an extra way to engage their imagination and love for learning beyond the school day.

Final Thoughts: It’s About the Journey

Reading 100 books in a year is an amazing goal—but the real magic is in the everyday moments you’ll create with your child along the way. The cuddles during storytime, the giggles over silly characters, and the conversations sparked by new ideas will last far longer than the final book tally.

Ready to begin your family’s 100-Book Challenge and kickstart your child’s early literacy skills? Grab a few books, find a cozy corner, and let the adventure begin—one story at a time.

 

Keep reading, keep learning!