We’re Celebrating Big Milestones!

Join us as we celebrate reaching over 600,000 educators and program leaders and distributing 250 million books and educational resources to underserved communities! Together, we’re impacting 6.5 million children every year.

young girl writing on a paper in a classroom setting.

Time for Change Youth Challenge – Now Open!

K-12 students can submit their ideas for positive change in their schools and communities for a chance to win $1,000 or more! Applications open through January 30th.

frame from video PSA about childhood grief. Drawing of two children sitting down, looking at a picture book.

Building Grief Supportive School Environments

Discover how our partnership with the New York Life Foundation is making a difference by providing essential resources and support to educators and communities addressing childhood grief and loss.

young hispanic girl reading a book

Support First Book

Millions of children from low-income areas don’t have the tools they need to learn. You can help us reach more children and educators.

frame from video PSA about childhood grief. Drawing of two children sitting down, looking at a picture book.

The Power of Diverse Books: How Inclusive Classroom Libraries Boost Student Success

New study reveals the positive impact of adding diverse books to classroom libraries on student reading scores

First Book Research & Insights has uncovered compelling evidence in a nationwide study: adding diverse books to classroom libraries increases student reading engagement and improves reading scores, particularly for students in underserved communities. Discover how titles that reflect students’ identities and experiences can inspire a love for reading, with educators reporting a 9 point increase in reading scores—3 points higher than the national average. Learn how diverse books, including bilingual and LGBTQ+ titles, create inclusive learning environments that benefit all students. Download the full report to explore key findings and see why diverse books are essential for fostering educational equity.

Our Mission

We envision a world where every child has access to a quality education.

Because education transforms lives.

  • We level the educational playing field for children in need.
  • We’re on a mission to ensure that all children, regardless of their background or zip code, can succeed — by removing barriers to equitable education.

Our Impact

First Book reaches 6.5 million kids each year in low-income communities across North America through a powerful network of more than 600,000 individual educators, professionals and volunteers specifically working with children in need. This is the largest online community of its kind.

Over 32 years, First Book has distributed more than 250 million high-quality books and educational resources to support kids, and the educators who serve them.

600,000
Individual Educators in Our Network
250 Million
Books & Resources Distributed
6.5 Million
Children Served Annually

Our Model of Change

First Book is a nonprofit working to remove barriers to an equitable education for children living in low-income communities. We are passionate supporters of individual educators, professionals and volunteers who serve kids in need. We pride ourselves on having business minds and non-profit hearts. First Book is dedicated to breaking down the barriers to educational equity by increasing access to evidence-based best practices, books, and resources in underserved communities. And First Book is a bridge-builder, collaborating with public and private partners, translating best-in-class expertise into educational resources to support learning for children in underserved communities.

image of an educator in a classroom, holding a Mo Willems book and a Piggie stuffie.

First Book Network

The First Book Network is made up of more than 600,000 individual educators, professionals and volunteers who exclusively serve kids in need.

two young kids reading and smiling together

First Book Marketplace

The First Book Marketplace provides 24/7 access to high-quality, new books, and educational resources at deeply discounted prices to First Book’s network of individual educators, professionals and volunteers working with kids in low-income communities.

First Book Research & Insights

First Book Research & Insights conducts qualitative and quantitative research, providing essential insights that guide the field and helps us identify what students need to overcome learning barriers.

young black student sitting at a classroom desk

First Book Accelerator

The First Book Accelerator turns our cutting-edge research into expert-informed, actionable teaching tools — in weeks rather than decades — so our members don’t have to wait for the latest evidence-based strategies that will help the kids they serve.

Featured Partners

Dedicated partners help us create even more opportunities for educators and kids in need.

This is one of the best organizations I have ever worked with in my many years in education and library services. The vast knowledge, resources, and opportunities that First Book provides are superb.

First Book Supporter