First Book Blog

“We Need to Help Our Kids.” Laura Geringer Bass on The Girl With More Than One Heart

Posted in: Author Voices, For Educators

First Book talked to author Laura Geringer Bass about her latest book, The Girl With More Than One Heart (Abrams), and her extensive work with young people. See what she had to say about dealing with grief, witnessing tragedy, and encouraging young people to share their stories. *** First Book:... Read more

Talking Books – and Pizza – with Pizza Hut’s Natasha Collins

Posted in: Our Partners

First Book recently spoke with Natasha Collins, social impact manager for Pizza Hut. Through April 22, Pizza Hut: The Literacy Project – the company’s global commitment to literacy – and First Book are partnering to enable access to books and educational resources, empower teachers, and inspire a lifelong love of... Read more

Debbi Michiko Florence: Creating the Drumming Mochi Queen, Jasmine Toguchi

Posted in: Author Voices

Debbi Michiko Florence, the author who brought us eight-year-old mochi-loving, flamingo-focused Jasmine Toguchi, was about eight years old herself before she realized eating a side of rice with a plate of spaghetti was not necessarily universal. That experience, which came as part of what Florence describes as growing up both... Read more

With First Book & Every Child a Reader, Kids Choose Favorite Books of 2017

Posted in: Press Room

Kids and teens can “voice their choice” in the 11th Annual Children’s & Teen Choice Book Awards now through May 6 NEW YORK (March 23, 2018) – Kids will choose the winners of the 2018 Children’s & Teen Choice Book Awards through a nationwide voting process where they can “voice... Read more

Gov. Carney, First Book Announce $50,000 Grant from Highmark Delaware for Re-stock of Basic Needs Closets

Posted in: Press Room

HARRINGTON, Del. (March 4, 2018) — Governor John Carney on Wednesday and First Book President, Co-founder and CEO Kyle Zimmer, visited Lake Forest South Elementary School to announce a $50,000 grant from Highmark Delaware’s BluePrints for the Community fund to support basic needs closets in schools throughout Delaware. The funds... Read more

“It Gives Me a Tremendous Amount of Hope:” Author Hena Khan on Kids, Tolerance, and the Universal Experience of Middle School

Posted in: Author Voices

Middle school anxiety does not discriminate, Amina’s Voice author Hena Khan told First Book. It’s why we all can mirror each other’s experiences in some way, no matter where we’re from—and that gives Khan hope, she said. Read more about Hena, Amina, and the relatability of generous aunties in our... 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

Becoming, the Memoir by Michelle Obama, to be Published in the U.S. and Canada on November 13, 2018 by the Crown Publishing Group/Penguin Random House

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Simultaneous publication in 24 languages worldwide New York, New York (February 25, 2018) – A global publication date of Tuesday, November 13, 2018, has been set for the highly anticipated memoir by Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States of America. The news was announced today by Markus... Read more

Appirio and First Book Bring Backpacks, New Books to Indianapolis Area Kids in Need

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Indianapolis, USA, February 23, 2018 — More than 2,300 books and 500 backpacks were donated to Indianapolis area kids in need on Feb 22, as a result of a partnership between Appirio’s parent company Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business... Read more

A Very Special Valentine’s Day Message From Kwame Alexander

Posted in: Author Voices, Focus on First Book, For Educators

Award-winning author, poet, and friend of First Book, Kwame Alexander has a special Valentine’s Day message for you!   Kwame Alexander is one of our Authors in Action! We love working with illustrators and authors like Kwame to bring new books to kids in need. Click here to learn more... Read more