The pandemic has had detrimental effects on children’s mental wellness, both in terms of adding new challenges and worsening existing ones. Educators estimate that more than half (53 percent) of the students they serve are struggling with their mental health. Seventy-two percent of educators say the pandemic has introduced new mental health challenges among students and 65% say it has exacerbated existing mental health challenges.
Read the full Research & Insights report and download our new educator resource, Taking Care: An Educator to Healthy Habits for Student Emotional Wellness.
Our purpose is as bold as it is urgent
- To create systemic change
- To ensure equal access to quality education
- To empower every educator and all the children in need who they serve.
Our Impact
First Book believes that education is the best way out of poverty for children in need. We provide books and other resources to classrooms and programs serving children in need, from birth to age 18, in order to remove barriers to quality education for all kids.
Over its 29-year history, First Book has distributed more than 225 million books and educational resources, with a retail value of more than $2 billion.
Dedicated partners help us create even more opportunities for educators and kids in need.








Addressing the needs of the whole child to support their education, basic needs, and wellness.