First Book Blog
Stories of impact, the latest research, best practices, curated book lists, and 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
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
12 Children’s Books to Celebrate National Poetry Month
Posted in:
Our Bookshelf
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
XPRIZE, Barbara Bush Foundation & Dollar General Literacy Foundation Announce First Book as a Finalist and Milestone Winner in $1M Adult Literacy XPRIZE Communities Competition
Posted in:
Press Room
Competing Teams To Distribute Four Complimentary Learning Apps to Adult Learners LOS ANGELES (April 1, 2019) – XPRIZE, in partnership with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, today announced finalist teams, including recipients of its milestone prizes, in its $1 million Adult Literacy XPRIZE... Read more
Libby Doggett, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, Joins First Book Board of Directors
Posted in:
Focus on First Book, Press Room
Julie Baker Finck of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, British Robinson of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, Ralph Smith of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, and Ginger Young of Book Harvest to join First Book Advisory Council WASHINGTON (February 27, 2019)— First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise... Read more
First Book and the New York Life Foundation Partner to Bring Grief Books, Resources to Educators
Posted in:
Press Room
First Book receives nearly half a million dollars to support the issue of grief in school communities through the power of reading WASHINGTON (February 27, 2019) — The New York Life Foundation today announced a new two-year partnership with First Book, a leading education nonprofit whose mission is to bring... Read more
What is unconscious bias? And how can educators fight it?
Posted in:
For Educators
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, it is an involuntary... Read more
First Book and the Guru Krupa Foundation Have Provided More Than 137,000 Books and Essentials—Including Meals—to More Than 52,000 Kids in Need Since 2012
Posted in:
Press Room
WASHINGTON (February 14, 2019) – The Guru Krupa Foundation, a private foundation that supports the preservation and acquisition of knowledge, today announced that in collaboration with First Book, they have distributed more than 137,000 books and educational resources to more than approximately 52,000 kids in need in the United States... Read more