First Book Blog

Reflecting on 2024: How First Book Research & Insights Amplified Educator Voices and Drove Change 

Posted in: First Book Research & Insights, For Educators

As we welcome 2025, we take a moment to reflect on the strides made toward educational equity in 2024. Throughout the year, First Book’s educator community played a pivotal role in shaping key initiatives and expanding access to critical resources for students in need.  Through surveys, focus groups, and ongoing... Read more

First Book Teams Up with the Washington Commanders to Bring Books and Playoff Hopes to Students across the DMV

Posted in: Our Partners

Jayden Daniels hasn’t been the only star addition to the Washington Commanders organization. This season, First Book and the Washington Commanders joined forces to bring a love of reading and the excitement of football to local students across the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area, creating a partnership that’s making... Read more

How Book Bans Are Impacting Teachers and Students: Insights from First Book Research & Insights

Posted in: First Book Research & Insights, For Educators

Over the last several years, book bans and restrictions have dramatically increased across the United States. Organizations like the American Library Association (ALA) and PEN America have been tracking these trends, but there has been little data on how these efforts to limit access to books are affecting educators and... Read more

First Book Honored in New York Times Communities Fund Annual Holiday Giving Campaign

Posted in: Press Room

Receiving this recognition for the fifth year, this campaign shares First Book and its efforts to remove barriers to education with The New York Times’ readers NEW YORK – First Book has been selected as a beneficiary of The New York Times Communities Fund holiday giving campaign to help support... Read more

Tata Sons North America and First Book Distribute 35,000 books to New Jersey and New York Communities

Posted in: Press Room

Bolstering classrooms with high-quality books, supporting local educators, and community volunteerism on display at Newark Museum of Art NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 19, 2024 – This weekend, Tata Sons North America and First Book are distributing more than 35,000 books to New Jersey and New York City educators. With 250 educators in attendance, this abundance of free, high-quality books will... Read more

First Book Tees Up Second Annual Virtual Golf Tournament for Educational Equity

Posted in: Press Room

National nonprofit launches charity golf event with Topgolf and World Golf Tour to bolster educational resources in Title I Schools WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2024 — In partnership with Topgolf and World Golf Tour (WGT), First Book is launching the second annual First Book Open virtual golf tournament. The interactive, online charity event offers... Read more

Kroger Foundation, Freestore Foodbank, and First Book Launch Literacy Grants for Summer Meal Sites to Support Academic Growth and Healthy Development

Posted in: Press Room

Pilot program boosts summer reading alongside foodbanks in Ohio communities CINCINNATI, July 18, 2024 – First Book is thrilled to announce the launch of Cincinnati Summer Reading Pilot in collaboration with The Kroger Foundation and Freestore Foodbank. The pilot program is bolstering literacy at local foodbanks in the Greater Cincinnati area to foster healthy development and... Read more

From Bus to Bookshelf: How the Free Book Bus and Johnson Elementary Nurture Young Readers 

Posted in: First Book Community Highlight, For Educators, Impact Stories

At First Book, we believe in the transformative power of stories, and are inspired by those who bring books to the hands of children who need them most. Two such inspiring examples are Sharon, the visionary behind The Free Book Bus, and the dedicated educators at Johnson Elementary. The Free... Read more

Key Research & Insights on Diverse Books, Reading Scores, and More in 2023 

Posted in: First Book Research & Insights

Naomi Suyat is a First Book Marketing and Communications Assistant. She recently graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to supporting educators and students by providing brand-new, high-quality books and additional resources tailored to meet the needs of today’s educators. Since... Read more

AFT Gives Away 10 Million Books to Help Create a Generation of Joyful, Confident Readers

Posted in: Press Room

Pathbreaking Partnership with First Book Celebrates over a Decade of Putting Books Directly into the Hands of Kids and Families Who Need Them, Sparking Joy, Inspiring Hope and Building Community WASHINGTON (May 11, 2024)—Today, in five synchronized events across the country, the AFT celebrated the unprecedented milestone of giving out... Read more