First Book and Chronicle Books Partner to Give Books this Holiday Season

Special Event with Author Dave Eggers Kicks off the Annual Campaign

NEW YORK (Nov. 15, 2017) — On Tuesday, November 14 at an assembly sponsored by Chronicle Books and First Book, students at PS 21 Edward Hart Elementary School in Flushing, New York were treated to a presentation from author Dave Eggers and illustrator Shawn Harris, creators of the acclaimed book about the Statue of Liberty, “Her Right Foot” to kick off the annual partnership.

Eggers read “Her Right Foot,” which explores and explains the history and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty, particularly her raised right foot, while Harris lead the students in an interactive collage and storytelling activity.

PS 21 serves a diverse population with a 91% minority enrollment and 76% of the student body qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Each of the ninety students who attended were given a copy of Her Right Foot.

“‘Her Right Foot’ reminds us that freedom is a dynamic value; it requires us to be constantly moving forward and embracing our world as it changes around us,” said Chandler Arnold, chief operating officer of First Book. “We know from the dedicated educators who make up the First Book Network that such a welcoming, hopeful message is especially relevant in their classrooms and programs right now. We are so grateful that Chronicle Books shares our commitment to bringing a message like this to children, and created the opportunity for PS 21 to explore it with the author and illustrator.”

Since 2011, Chronicle Books’ #GiveBooks campaign has encouraged and inspired readers to give books for the holidays. For the 4th year in a row, First Book has partnered in the effort collectively has given more than 80,000 Chronicle Books titles to young readers in need.

The theme of the 2017 campaign is “What Can Books Do?” Throughout the campaign, Chronicle Books will share inspiring responses to that question, as well as tips and resources for what readers can do to share enduring magic of books.

“A good book engages kids as co-creators and leaves them telling stories beyond the pages.”—Shawn Harris, illustrator of “Her Right Foot.”

Owning books and growing up in a print-rich environment are leading indicators of a child’s educational success, but for the 32 million children growing up in low-income families in the U.S. alone, books are scarce. Through the #GiveBooks partnership, Chronicle Books and First Book will turn 30,000 young readers into book owners, many for the first time.

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About First Book

First Book transforms the lives of children in need. Through a sustainable, market-driven model, First Book is creating equal access to quality education — making everything from brand-new, high-quality books and educational resources, to sports equipment, winter coats, snacks, and more – affordable to its member network of more than 350,000 educators who exclusively serve kids in need. Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 170 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families in more than 30 countries. First Book currently reaches an average of 3 million children every year and supports more than one in four of the estimated 1.3 million classrooms and programs serving children in need. With an additional 1,000 educators joining each week, First Book is the largest and fastest-growing network of educators in the United States exclusively serving kids in need.

Eligible educators, librarians, providers, and others serving children in need can sign up at firstbook.org/register. For more information, please visit firstbook.org or follow the latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

About Chronicle Books 


One of the most admired and respected publishing companies in the U.S., Chronicle Books was founded in 1967 and over the years has developed a reputation for award-winning, innovative books. Recognized as one of the 50 best small companies to work for in the U.S. (and the only independent publisher to receive this award), the company continues to challenge conventional publishing wisdom, setting trends in both subject and format, maintaining a list that includes illustrated titles in design, art, architecture, photography, food, lifestyle and pop culture, as well as much-admired books for children and ancillary products through its gift division. Chronicle Books’ objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that’s instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value. For more information about Chronicle Books, visit chroniclebooks.com.

Media Contacts:

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Liza Algar, Chronicle Books
415.537.4261
liza_algar@chroniclebooks.com