First Book Blog

Closing the Literacy Gap: How One Mississippi Educator Is Making a Difference

Posted in: First Book Community Highlight, Impact Stories

In 2024, the average reading score for the nation at grade 4 was 2 points lower compared to 2022 and 5 points lower compared to 2019 (NAEP). Mississippi, however, turned its reading scores around, now exceeding the national average—despite having the highest rate of poverty in the U.S.   Behind that success are educators who will do anything... Read more

National Library Month: Library Spotlight

Posted in: First Book Community Highlight, Impact Stories

For National Library Month, we’re celebrating libraries that go above and beyond to meet the needs of their communities.   Meet Kim Angotti and Kelsey Bates of Kansas City Public Library (that’s Kansas City, Missouri – or as Kim and Kelsey informed us, “the COOL Kansas City”). Kim is the library’s Youth and Family Engagement Operations and Program Manager, while Kelsey... Read more

First Book and Blue Star Families to Distribute 35,000 Free Books During Big Book Giveaway on April 11 at National University in San Diego

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

The STEAM Book Family Festival is free and open to teachers from Title I schools and the families they serve, and to military families. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON (April 6) – The national nonprofit First Book and Blue Star Families are inviting military families, teachers from San Diego-area Title I... Read more

Talk About a Book Club:  New Partnership Between First Book and Little Free Library Will Expand Access to New Books and Boost Book Joy in Under-Resourced Neighborhoods Nationwide

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Announcement at the national Public Library Association conference celebrates the role of libraries big and small to create community. Pictured (from left to right) Talia Miracle, Program Manager for Indigenous and Impact Library Programs; Kelly Griffin, First Book VP of Nonprofit Partnerships; LaTreena Fegely, Program Coordinator for Impact Library Programs... Read more

First Book Expands Support for Public Libraries Serving Under-Resourced Communities

Posted in: Press Room

Nonprofit offers deep discounts on new books and free educational resources to help eligible libraries strengthen community outreach programming. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON (March 31) – First Book, a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to quality education, is expanding its outreach to public libraries serving under-resourced communities. The organization... Read more

First Book and The Moth Launch National Storytelling Partnership for Children and Educators in Low-Income Communities

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports educational programming with $250,000 grant. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON (Feb. 12) – First Book, a national nonprofit that expands educational opportunities for children in under-resourced communities, and The Moth, a global leader in the art and craft of personal storytelling, are launching an unprecedented national... Read more

Exclusive Interview with Author Antwan Eady

Posted in: Author Voices

Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Nigel on the Moon author, Antwan Eady! Read more

First Book Selected as a Beneficiary of The 2025 New York Times Communities Fund Holiday Giving Campaign

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Through this year’s campaign, The New York Times invites readers to support the power of education; beloved author Mary Pope Osborne kicks off donations to First Book with a $50,000 matching grant FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW YORK (Nov. 25) – For the sixth consecutive year, the national nonprofit First Book... Read more

First Book and Penguin Random House Celebrate 42 Million Children’s Books Distributed Together Through 25-Year Partnership

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Nov. 17 celebrations include a virtual reading with bestselling author Mary Pope Osborne, and panel discussion with educators on overcoming the decline in reading for pleasure FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 — Leading global trade publisher Penguin Random House and First Book, the national nonprofit that expands educational opportunities... Read more

What $25 Can Do: The Power of a Donor’s Dollar at First Book 

Posted in: Thought Leadership

At First Book, we often say that $25 can provide five brand-new books for children in need. It’s a statement that surprises many – especially when children’s books can cost as much as $18.99 each. So how is this possible?  Every Book is New and Chosen With Care The First Book... Read more