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

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 feedback, educators shared valuable insights that informed First Book’s priorities. This collaborative approach ensures that the resources provided on the First Book Marketplace are responsive to real needs in classrooms, guiding partnerships and securing funding to address the challenges educators and students face. 

Here are three key ways that educator-driven insights inspired new initiatives and tangible results in 2024: 

1. Launch of the First Book Referral Program 

The 2024 Annual Membership Survey revealed the power of peer recommendations. A significant portion of First Book members—33 percent—reported joining the network based on a colleague’s suggestion. Nearly half expressed interest in a referral program that would make it easier to share First Book with others while earning a reward. 

In response, First Book introduced the Referral Program, enabling members to invite others through personalized referral links. For every successful referral, the referring member earns a $5 credit for the First Book Marketplace, while the new member receives $25 off their first order. 

The response was remarkable. By the end of 2024, First Book’s Network surpassed 600,000 members, expanding access to affordable, high-quality resources for more educators and students. 

2. Expansion of Multilingual Resources with the World Languages Category 

In 2024, the growing need for multilingual resources was confirmed through strong participation in a First Book survey, with nearly 4,400 educators providing feedback. The survey underscored the importance of offering more titles in a wide variety of languages to better serve students from diverse backgrounds. 

To meet this need, First Book launched the World Languages category on the First Book Marketplace. This new collection includes bilingual book bundles in 19 languages—such as Amharic, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese—alongside a robust selection of Spanish and Spanish-English bilingual books. These resources help create more inclusive classrooms and foster a love of reading for students from multilingual households. 

3. New Free Resources from the LEGO Group 

Access to free, high-quality educational resources is essential for educators. In 2024, First Book partnered with the LEGO Group to co-create two new Build the Change course packs, shaped by educator feedback collected through focus groups and surveys. 

• Designing Places for People course pack encourages students ages 7–12 to think like designers and create public spaces that meet diverse community needs. The course pack features hands-on activities that use readily available classroom materials—LEGO® bricks optional. 

• The Playful School Challenge course pack, developed with the LEGO Group and YELLOW, Pharrell Williams’ nonprofit, invites students to explore different learning styles and design their ideal school environment, building collaboration and creative problem-solving skills along the way. 

Both resources are available for free on the First Book Marketplace, offering engaging, play-based learning experiences aligned with educators’ needs. 

The Power of Educator-Driven Insights 

First Book Research & Insights works closely with our Network of more than 600,000 educators and program leaders to identify needs and advocate for solutions. The feedback collected through surveys, focus groups, and interviews helps shape the resources available on the First Book Marketplace, guides partnership strategies, and informs advocacy efforts—all with the goal of ensuring educational equity for students in historically underserved communities. 

As First Book looks ahead to 2025, we remain committed to amplifying educator voices and driving positive change in education. The continued collaboration with the educator community will be key to addressing new challenges and opportunities in the year ahead. 

About First Book Research & Insights 

Each year, our research team works with our Network to identify the greatest areas of need for educators and students in low-income communities. With the support of our partners, we diligently survey and create resources that address both current needs and long-standing concerns. New projects roll out annually, and we invite you to explore our past surveys and findings on our dedicated research page.