First Book Blog

Stories of impact, the latest research, best practices, curated book lists, and more.

Partnership Brings Free Multicultural Children’s Books to Libraries

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Partnership Brings Free Multicultural Children’s Books to Libraries Austin– The Texas Center for the Book working in concert with First Book is bringing a new opportunity to help libraries celebrate Lone Star Día this April. The program is designed to support libraries who serve children in need. “Lone Star Día... Read more

Jackson Shealy, Hunter Dawson, and Jackson Fisher, all fourth graders at Charleston Day School, labeling products for the annual holiday market, inspired by the Lemonade War. This year, all proceeds were donated to First Book and our hurricane relief efforts.

Author Jacqueline Davies on The Lemonade War and #KidsCan

Posted in: Author Voices

The Lemonade War was intended to be a stand-alone book—but five books later, The Lemonade War and its entrepreneurial protagonists have prompted kids nationwide to raise more than $150,000 to end childhood cancers, in addition to many other causes. First Book asked author Jacqueline Davies, who has since founded the... Read more

Fourth graders at Charleston Day School donated the proceeds from their annual holiday market to First Book.

Kids Helping Kids — Because #KidsCan

Posted in: Author Voices

Hurricane Irma missed Charleston, South Carolina by about 200 miles, but it did not leave the historic city untouched. The storm’s outer bands came at Charleston with tidal surges reaching 10 feet high, the likes of which the town hadn’t seen since Hurricane Hugo nearly two decades earlier. It was... Read more

First Book Research & Insights: Anxiety About Immigration Policies, Racism Taking Toll in Classroom

Posted in: First Book Research & Insights, Press Room

“This is a Hard Reality for a 7-year-old” Kids in Need are Increasingly Concerned About Immigration Policies and Racism—and it’s Taking a Toll on Teaching and Learning, According to New First Book Research Students’ stress levels are rising, and educators indicate they need books and resources to address the impact ... Read more

Three Ways Early Reading Benefits Infants’ Development

Posted in: For Educators

Members of the First Book community of educators work in many settings — schools, libraries, healthcare programs, and more. We all know that early reading is important and access to books for kids is essential. And we know that early intervention is important. The earlier a child is exposed to... Read more

Free Books for Teachers Serving Kids in Need

Posted in: Focus on First Book, For Educators

Let’s say you’re an educator or program leader serving children in need who needs to fill your bookshelves and stock your classroom with free books and resources. You’ve just recently signed up with First Book — now what? Book Distributions In Your Area When funding is available through sponsors and... Read more

First Book makes sure basic essentials, like snacks and coats, are affordable to teachers serving kids in need.

The Number One Barrier to Learning: Basic Needs

Posted in: First Book Research & Insights

Seeing a child coming to school every day and not having what they need… it’s heartbreaking. A lot of the kids didn’t realize what they didn’t have cause they were so used to not having. When I decided to become an educator, I knew that that was one of the... Read more

Margaret Atwood, Junot Díaz, and More Join PBS’ Great American Read

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Press Room

First Book COO Chandler Arnold to serve on advisory board for groundbreaking, multi-platform series from Nutopia PASADENA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2018) – Today at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger announced key authors, celebrities, and notable figures in the entertainment, sports, news, and literary... Read more

First Book and the Guru Krupa Foundation Provided More Than 18,000 Books and Essentials—Including Meals—to Kids in Need in 2017

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

WASHINGTON (Jan. 3, 2018) – The Guru Krupa Foundation, a private foundation that supports the preservation and acquisition of knowledge, distributed more than 18,000 books and educational resources, and 285 cartons of food, to kids in need this year, in collaboration with First Book. First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise... Read more

First Book serves educators who serve kids in need.

First Book and Candlewick Press Give Kids in Need up to 100,000 Brand-New Books through Matching Gift Program

Posted in: Press Room

Partnership will triple donations at a time of year when need is acute WASHINGTON D.C. (Dec. 7, 2017) – First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise focused on creating equal access to quality education for kids in need, and Candlewick Press will jointly celebrate their respective 25th anniversaries this holiday season... Read more