kids walking around school, wearing masks to protect them

Press Room

Current news and media resources highlighting our ongoing efforts to ensure educational equity for children in need.

Who We Are

At First Book, we are building a path out of poverty through educational equity. 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 whom they serve.

Media Contact: Ian Kenison

Our Model of Change

graphic of First Book's Model of change. The graphic is made up of two different circle sectors. On the outside sector is three areas. One is title 'Providing Affordable Resources,' another is titled '

First Book Network

Comprises North America’s largest community of educators working on the frontlines with children in need at schools and programs across the U.S.

First Book Marketplace

Provides the First Book Network with 24-hour, year-round access to an award-winning repository of affordable and new books, educational resources, and basic necessities curated for kids in need ages 0-18.

First Book Research & Insights

Advances education and poverty research by generating original data that amplifies educators’ voices, drives First Book’s models, and informs content on the First Book Marketplace.

First Book Accelerator

Turns current research and evidence-based strategies from leading experts into actionable tools that are shared with our network — so educators don’t have to wait months or years to use innovative best practices in their classrooms and programs.

Media Contact

Ian Kenison | ikenison@firstbook.org

2021 Impact In Review

As First Book enters our 30th year, our nation’s children and educators need our support more than ever. The pandemic has taken an enormous toll on education, compounding existing economic and resource disparities with learning disruptions and mental health challenges. The First Book community has become a powerful force for social justice, supporting educators, removing barriers to learning, and addressing educational inequities.

5 Million
Children Served Annually
20,000+
NEW Network Educators in 2021
11 Million
Books & Resources Distributed Last Year

Download Our Media Kit

Download our comprehensive media kit to read, print, or share.

How We Do It

First Book is a social enterprise, applying proven strategies of the private sector to fuel our work as a non-profit with a growing ecosystem of models that work both individually and collectively to create impact. We have aggregated the First Book Network, North America’s largest group of educators (more than 575,000 professionals) serving kids in need. The Network keeps growing by nearly 1,000 new members each month.

Original Research Harnesses the Voice of Educators

We conduct original research that amplifies the voices of our Network members and identifies their needs. We then engage field experts to create tools and resources to address those needs. We curate culturally relevant educational resources that resonate with our membership and the diverse children they serve, and leverage the power of aggregated buying to make these books and resources free or affordable through the First Book Marketplace, our award-winning eCommerce site.

Continuous Innovation to Elevate Impact

We drive constant innovation and collaborate with field-leading organizations to continue elevating our models and bringing the best insights and new practices to the field of education while generating sustainable revenue to continue our work. We form win-win relationships that benefit those we serve, as well as the publishers, suppliers, purposeful corporations, governments, and other key stakeholders committed to improving educational equity.

System-changing Models Addressing the Whole Child

Finally, we address the needs of the whole child, supporting their education, basic needs, and wellness – all of which are essential to educational equity. Through our sophisticated distribution system, we efficiently deliver help where it is needed. The First Book educator-centric integrated design, grounded in rapid-cycle feedback, and powered by innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, provides hope and promise to children living in poverty and the educators who serve them.

Our Work

At First Book, we are committed to addressing the barriers to education faced by children living in poverty. Explore some of the core programs we have developed to ensure education equity for all children.

young boy holding a book

Building Literacy Rich Classrooms

A new report and resource tool to help educators evaluate the quality and equity of their classroom libraries.

three young girls reading a book on the floor of a classroom

Student Mental Health

Research & Insights study and Accelerator resource to address student mental wellness in classrooms.

time for change, girl volunteering in a garden

Time for Change

An initiative designed to further educational equity through changemaking, that includes a new resource for educators that suggests practical ways to inspire students to become changemakers for their schools and their communities.

little girl screaming while trying to play

Skill-Building Opportunities

We’ve created a series of clear, actionable resources that educators can use to engage with families, that address challenging moments.

young parent and child reading together in a park

Magic of Storytelling

A national campaign to help distribute more than 80 million books to children in need, across the U.S. In partnership with Disney.

two kids studying at a table in school

ARP Resources

First Book can maximize ARP funding for learning recovery, enrichment, and high-quality environments to amplify the impact of this investment in low-income communities.

two young kids reading and smiling together

Stories for All Project™

First Book worked with publishing partners to create a market-driven solution to increasing diversity and inclusion in children’s books after 90 percent of our network survey respondents agreed that children would be more enthusiastic if books reflected their lives.

young black student sitting at a classroom desk

Empowering Educators

In response to our Diversity & Inclusion Needs Assessment, we launched an unprecedented set of expert-informed, free resources designed to help educators engage their students in courageous conversations about race and social justice.