First Book Blog

Three Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Your Students

Posted in: For Educators

Every year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. The celebration emphasizes the histories, traditions, and contributions of our Spanish and Latine ancestors – so that year-round, we can take pride in the diversity of our country, and its resulting strength.  It’s a great time... 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

The Cost of Empty Bookshelves: Kyle Zimmer, First Book President, Co-founder, and CEO

Posted in: Focus on First Book

Empty bookshelves in school libraries, kids without backpacks or lunch or socks, educators shelling out an average of $500 a year to outfit their classrooms–this is why we do what we do at First Book. And this year, we have the opportunity to make sure that every back-to-school start is... Read more

5 Creative Ways to Use Books in Spanish

Posted in: For Educators

Guest post by Camila Rios, First Book intern Spanish-language books are a versatile and valuable resource. Use them with Spanish speakers, Spanish learners, bilingual students, and English language learners in any setting where you’re working with kids and families. Use Spanish-Language Books To… Foster Strong Bilingual Skills Research shows that students who read or are... Read more

Redefining Youthful Rebellion: YA Authors on Social Justice

Posted in: Author Voices

“I think young people have something to say, and I think that they do the best they can to say it and  sometimes the language isn’t there, but we as adults have an obligation and a responsibility to hear the things that aren’t being said–and to help them carve the... 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

I Pledge Allegiance

Posted in: Author Voices

This blog was originally posted on June 20, 2014. It has been updated with new outbound links. Today’s guest blog post is by Libby Martinez, co-author of the children’s book I Pledge Allegiance, on teaching kids to be proud of the place they were born while being a proud American.... Read more

What if Educators Had Everything They Needed? Kyle Zimmer, First Book President, Co-founder, and CEO

Posted in: Focus on First Book

By Kyle Zimmer, president, co-founder, and CEO of First Book. This post first appeared on Medium on June 12, 2018. A Texas elementary school media specialist recently shared a 43-second video that blew me away. In the video, a young boy named Isaiah holds a book by award-winning author Kwame Alexander, and... Read more

I AM LITTLE RED: Teaching Kids About Child Trafficking

Posted in: Author Voices, For Educators

Wolves can come in all shapes and sizes. Do I have your attention now? So warns Lady J, the animated version of Academy Award-nominee Jessica Chastain, as she walks “Little Reds” through the dangers of a very scary problem: Child sex trafficking. Lady J is the narrator of I AM... Read more

BECOMING: Penguin Random House to Mark Release of Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Memoir With Donation of One Million Children’s Books to First Book in Obama Family’s Name

Posted in: Press Room

Former First Lady of the U.S. Michelle Obama Reveals the Book Cover for her Memoir, “BECOMING,” Scheduled for November 13, 2018, Global Publication    New York, New York (May 24, 2018)—Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama revealed today on Instagram the book cover of her highly anticipated... Read more