Author Archives: Whitney Carlson

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Our Bookshelf

First Book Staff Picks 10 Summer Reads

Whether you’re sending books home or planning lessons for the summer months, our Staff Picks for Summer Reading are the top titles we recommend to keep kids of all ages turning the pages all summer long!… Read More
Our Bookshelf

10 Books for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Every May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This month we are all invited to celebrate the culture, traditions, and history of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans who have contributed to the rich diversity of the United States. Encourage young readers to connect with Asian culture with these… Read More
Impact Stories

4 Inspirational Librarians to Know This National Library Workers Day

It’s National Library Workers Day, and we’re honoring our library friends! Thank you, library workers, for the important roles you play in our communities. We celebrate you today and every day. Read about four extraordinary library workers who inspire us. Imagine A School Without A Library… Read More
Our Bookshelf

12 Children’s Books to Celebrate National Poetry Month

It’s April! That means it’s not just springtime—it’s the month we celebrate all things rhythm, verse, and rhyme. It’s National Poetry Month! From clever poetry favorites and nursery rhymes to craftily created illustrations and novels in verse, we have poetry for all ages to inspire even the most reluctant future-poets. Read More
Focus on First Book, Our Partners

Join First Book Employees in the Magic of Storytelling!

We’ve been celebrating our annual Magic of Storytelling campaign with Disney since January, but it’s coming to an end! And we still need your help to unlock a 1 million book donation to the educators and kids we serve. How can you help exactly? It’s simple: Post a shelfie (a… Read More
Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

Taking Resources AWAY From High-Needs Schools?

This piece was originally published by Kyle Zimmer on Medium on March 11, 2019. For 26 years, First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise I lead, has been dedicated to equal education for children in need. One… Read More
Our Bookshelf

9 Children’s Books to Read for Women’s History Month

So many incredible women have dedicated their lives to becoming trailblazers for other women and girls around the world. Our Women’s History Section is full of extraordinary true stories about both historic and contemporary heroes who have paved the way in education, the arts, athletics, human rights, and countless other spheres. Read More
For Educators

Empowering Girls Through Books and Sports: Free Discussion Guide

First Book is proud to partner with the Women’s Sports Foundation to provide “Empowering Girls through Books and Sports,” a discussion guide that uses sports-themed books to discuss important topics for middle and high school girls. Why a discussion guide to empower girls? An empowered girl… Read More
For Educators

What is unconscious bias? And how can educators fight it?

The truth is, we all have unconscious bias. But what is “unconscious bias”? This is what happens when we allow our own attitudes, feelings, stereotypes, or beliefs impact our judgment or understanding of other people. It’s called “unconscious” because it is not something we do deliberately; rather,… Read More