
Promoting Respect & Empathy: A Toolkit for Educators, by Educators
Posted In:For Educators
May 28, 2019 Teaching kids empathy and respect prepares them to create a more caring and compassionate world. In the absence of empathy, differences have the potential to breed conflict – especially during a child’s early years, when they are naturally inclined to think only of themselves and their immediate needs. Members of… Read More

First Book’s Spring Shopping Cart Challenge!
Posted In:For Educators
March 14, 2019 First Book community educators: you could win a First Book Marketplace credit! When qualifying educators shop the First Book Marketplace for their teaching essentials, they can reach more kids by stretching every dollar of their budget. The marketplace offers books, school supplies, basic needs items, computers and tablets, sports… Read More

Empowering Girls Through Books and Sports: Free Discussion Guide
Posted In:For Educators
March 5, 2019 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

What is unconscious bias? And how can educators fight it?
Posted In:For Educators
February 26, 2019 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

How to Diversify Your Bookshelf This New Year
Posted In:For Educators
January 3, 2019 As the world becomes smaller and increasingly diverse in its cultures and experiences, it is crucial that all children have access to books that serve as both windows and mirrors. Kids who see their own experiences reflected in books gain self-confidence. And when they read about experiences that differ from… Read More

And Now, Es Mi Turno…
Posted In:For Educators
December 17, 2018 Today’s blog is a guest post by Erika Duncan, executive and artistic director of HerStory Writers Workshop. Find Brave Journeys/Pasos Valientes on the First Book Marketplace. ************************************************************ “Who has the courage to read this week’s story in English?” Mr. Hogu asks his students, who… Read More

First Book Community Educators: How You Can Start Your New Year with New Books!
Posted In:For Educators
December 6, 2018 Because we value the expertise of the educators we serve, the First Book Marketplace launched product reviews. Not only do these reviews help fellow members of the First Book community of educators decide what products will help them most, they also help our staff understand how… Read More

How to Bring Jacqueline Woodson to Your Classroom This December
Posted In:For Educators
November 8, 2018 Photo credit: Juna F. Nagle, New York Times Would you like acclaimed poet and author Jacqueline Woodson to come speak to your class? Now is your chance! First Book is working with The Children’s Book Council and Every Child A Reader so… Read More

Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion In Your Classroom
Posted In:For Educators
October 16, 2018 As the U.S. population is becomes more and more diverse, the need to embrace the many cultures in our classrooms is more important than ever. When a student’s learning environment respects their history, values, beliefs, and behaviors, students and their families are better positioned to thrive in school. Many educators… Read More

LIGHTS ALIVE! Why Telling Your Story Matters
Posted In:Author Voices, For Educators
October 11, 2018 Guest post by author Laura Geringer Bass. There is a scene in my new middle grade novel, The Girl with More than One Heart, that is based on a real life parent conference I had once with my son’s kindergarten teacher. I called the chapter… Read More