How to use it
Pick a starting point, then change the column headings to match how your child reads.
Choose how many rows you need, and write a goal at the bottom if you like.
Print a few copies and keep one by the bed or in the book bag.
After each book or story time, fill in a row together, or let your child do it.
Make it last: print on cardstock, laminate it or slip it into a sheet protector, and use a dry-erase marker or Velcro dots so you can use it again.
Questions parents ask
What should a reading log track?
Whatever keeps reading going. Younger children often log the date and the book, with a grown-up’s initials. Older children can add minutes or pages. If the log is for school, copy the teacher’s columns.
Does listening to a story count?
Many families count it. Being read to, reading together and audiobooks all build a love of books. If the log is for school, check what the teacher wants counted.
How do I keep my child interested?
Keep it short and celebrate full pages. The Book list starting point prints five stars beside each book to color in, and many children enjoy rating books more than counting minutes.
Is my child’s name saved anywhere?
No. A name you type stays in your browser so it can print on the sheet. It is never sent to us.
Is it really free?
Yes. One email unlocks this and every other tool in the library, and you can print as many as you like. Your email also brings one short story each Tuesday, and you can leave anytime.
Read it with a story
This is a simple visual support for everyday routines, not a therapy or a treatment. If your child works with a teacher or therapist, they can tell you how it fits with what they already do. Picture symbols: Mulberry Symbols, CC BY-SA 4.0.