First Book Blog

The Stars of the SHOWTIME Drama ‘The Chi’ and Author Jason Reynolds Visit Chicago with First Book

Posted in: Our Partners

We are proud to have taken part in one of the many ways SHOWTIME® gives back to the city that serves as the setting of their hit television show, “The Chi”. Through First Book, SHOWTIME® gifted approximately 10,000 new, contemporary, diverse books to public schools in Chicago’s South Side area.... Read more

Promoting Respect & Empathy: A Toolkit for Educators, by Educators

Posted in: For Educators

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

Shout Mouse Press: There’s a Story Behind Every Book

Posted in: Our Bookshelf, Our Partners

Today’s blog is a guest post written by Lana Wong, Community Impact & Partnerships Director at Shout Mouse Press If children don’t read about people who look like them … they feel invisible. I feel this is an opportunity for them to see that they’re visible and their voice does... Read more

First Book Awards More Than $700,000 for New Books and eBooks to Schools and Programs Serving Kids in Need Across Nine States

Posted in: Press Room

First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise focused on equal access to quality education, has awarded more than $700,000 for new books and eBooks to schools and organizations serving more than 200,000 kids in need across nine states. Read more

Q&A with Gaia Cornwall, Author of Jabari Jumps

Posted in: Author Voices

Gaia Cornwall is an illustrator and children’s book author, best known for her book Jabari Jumps. We asked her about her creative process, what it’s like to read her book with children, and her tips on being brave. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Why This Story?... Read more

First Book and Rise Up Foundation to Donate $100,000 for New Books and Disaster Recovery Research to Schools Devastated by Hurricane Harvey

Posted in: Press Room

First Book and Rise Up Foundation are partnering to bring $70,000 in new books this week to Houston-area schools still recovering from Hurricane Harvey, with an additional $30,000 for disaster recovery research. Read more

First Book to Co-sponsor National Antiracist Book Festival, hosted by American University’s Antiracist Research and Policy Center

Posted in: Press Room

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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

SHOWTIME drama ‘The Chi,’ First Book, and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Celebrate Chicago’s South Side with Gift of 10,000 New, Diverse Books to Public Schools

Posted in: Press Room

‘The Chi’ cast members and New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds to address hundreds of area students on April 12 CHICAGO (April 9, 2019) — The acclaimed SHOWTIME® series The Chi will celebrate the community that provides the setting for the timely coming-of-age drama—Chicago’s South Side—with a gift of... Read more

First Book Launches Second Funding Phase of $4.7 Million OMG Books Awards

Posted in: Press Room

Nonprofit social enterprise to award up to $1.4 million in funding across 12 states and territories for new books and eBooks for kids in need WASHINGTON (April 8, 2019) – First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise focused on equal access to quality education for children in need, today announced the... Read more