Category Archive: Impact Stories

Imagine A School Without A Library

Posted in: Impact Stories

Ed. Note: Originally posted in April 2016, the significance of abundant, diverse school libraries still holds relevancy today. Libraries are the gatekeepers to cultural, social, and individual growth and must continue acting as an inviting, welcoming development hub for students and teachers. Today’s guest blog post is by bestselling children’s... Read more

This Educator Didn’t Punish Troublesome Kids. She Gave Them a Closet Full of Stuff.

Posted in: Impact Stories

The following post his blog post was written by Amanda Pell at Upworthy & first published on Upworthy.com in November 2017. This time last year, the top three most misbehaved boys at Equetta Jones’ elementary school were from the same family. As assistant principal, it fell to Jones to figure... Read more

Kids Need Books Of All Kinds

Posted in: Impact Stories

Thanks to Jarrett Lerner, author and illustrator, and supporters like you, thousands of kids in low-income communities across the country are receiving new books and resources from First Book. Lerner is encouraging all to wear their hearts on their sleeves, with a custom designed T-shirt that features the phrase, “Kids... Read more

“All Are Welcome” Into a Community of Reading

Posted in: For Educators, Impact Stories

For many students, the start of the school year can be stressful – prompting isolation, shyness, and learning obstacles. The most important part of an educator’s job is making students feel welcome. “I’m always looking for opportunities for our kids to experience that their work and their words do have... Read more

4 Inspirational Librarians to Know This National Library Workers Day

Posted in: Impact Stories

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 I want all kids to experience... Read more

‘Love is an Action Word.’ Show Love. Give Books.

Posted in: Impact Stories

“We can tell the kids we love them. We can tell the community that we care. But they look at what we do. I say love is an action word. It’s a verb, and you have to show it.” – Denise Taylor For Denise Taylor, saying you care is not... Read more

Through Access to Bilingual Books, D.C. Students Develop a Love of Reading

Posted in: Impact Stories

Turning the pages of a book from right to left — or left to right, depending on which language you’re reading — is not an innate skill. It’s something we have to learn. But most of us don’t remember that lesson in school, because when you grow up with access... Read more

Newman’s Own Foundation and First Book Bring Nutrition and Healthy Eating Books to Rural Georgia

Posted in: Impact Stories

Thanks to a $15,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation, the independent foundation created by the late actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman, First Book gave children in rural Georgia more than 3,000 books. The award was made by Newman’s Own Foundation as part of its commitment to address issues of fresh... Read more

How To Make Reading Fun and Create Lifelong Readers

Posted in: For Educators, Impact Stories

Brian Smith is on a mission: make reading fun and create lifelong readers. An educator at Newton Conover City Schools in North Carolina, Brian, called upon author Jarrett J. Krosoczka to bring books to life. Brian stocked each fourth-grade classroom in his district with several copies of all ten books... Read more

Pride, Books, and More with TFA’s Tim’m West

Posted in: For Educators, Impact Stories

With Pride Month already in full-swing, we recently had the chance to speak with Tim’m West, Senior Managing Director of Teach For America’s LGBTQ Community Initiative. We wanted to share his insights on advocating for and supporting LGBTQ youth, both inside and outside of the classroom. Tim’m’s years of experience... Read more