First Book Blog

First Book and Chronicle Books Partner to Give Books this Holiday Season

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Special Event with Author Dave Eggers Kicks off the Annual Campaign NEW YORK (Nov. 15, 2017) — On Tuesday, November 14 at an assembly sponsored by Chronicle Books and First Book, students at PS 21 Edward Hart Elementary School in Flushing, New York were treated to a presentation from author... Read more

First Book Engages Children’s Authors and Illustrators With Expansion of Advocacy Program

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Press Room

First Book’s Authors and Illustrators in Action Program engages authors and illustrators to help fill the all-too-often empty bookshelves of kids in need WASHINGTON (November 20, 2017) – Today, First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise focused on equal access to quality education for kids in need, expanded Authors and Illustrators... Read more

Using Facts as a Bridge into the Joys of Imagination: Writing the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Series

Posted in: Author Voices

Natalie Pope Boyce has always been one for the details. She grew up in a military family with her sister, author of the Magic Tree House series, Mary Pope Osborne, and lived abroad at a young age. While learning different languages, Natalie found delight in the nuances of different words... Read more

Mark Cuban Pledges $35,000 To Global Reading Challenge For First Book and Libraries and Their Communities

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

WASHINGTON (Nov. 15, 2017) — Billionaire investor and Shark Tank personality Mark Cuban has announced his sponsorship of the inaugural Beanstack Winter Reading Challenge in support of local libraries. Cuban has challenged close to 100 libraries all over the country and South Korea, to meet a collective goal of reading... Read more

First Book Unveils New Website to Engage Educators, Partners, and Communities in Expanding Access to Equal Education for Children in Need

Posted in: Press Room

First Book reaches new milestone of 350,000 members, remaining the largest, fastest-growing network of educators serving kids in need in the United States and Canada  WASHINGTON (Nov. 13, 2017) – Today, First Book and First Book Canada unveiled vibrant new websites that underscore the organization’s commitment to engaging educators, partners... Read more

Wipro, First Book Bring Backpacks, New Books to Jefferson City Area Kids in Need

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Volunteer-led partnership promotes power of reading and community engagement Jefferson City, Missouri, USA, November 13, 2017: Five hundred Jefferson City area elementary students will have new backpacks with three new books each as a result of a partnership between Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global... Read more

It Was Almost a Magic Whistle: Mary Pope Osborne Reflects on 25 Years in the Magic Tree House

Posted in: Author Voices

A note from Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO, First Book: This year, First Book is celebrating our 25th year of providing brand new books and educational resources to educators serving kids in need. Today, we are so delighted to share that celebration with a very special First Book friend who’s also... Read more

Wipro, First Book Distribute 18,000 New Books to Schools in Texas

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Helping in the Recovery and Rebuilding Efforts post Hurricane Harvey Dallas, Texas, USA – October 27, 2017: Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting, and business process services company, in partnership with First Book, delivered 18,000 new books to schools in Texas that... Read more

Dolly Parton Donates 500,000 Books to Hurricane-affected Areas Through First Book National Book Bank

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Donation to be made via One America Appeal in addition to donating 500,000 children’s books PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (October 17, 2017) — Today, Dolly Parton will assist with the ongoing relief efforts around the United States and its territories by making a contribution to the One America Appeal for Hurricane... Read more

The Ashley Bryan Center and First Book Distribute 15,000 Special Editions of Award-Winning “Beautiful Blackbird” to Kids in Need

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Second consecutive year of partnership marked by threefold increase in number of books distributed WASHINGTON (Oct. 5, 2017) – The Ashley Bryan Center, a foundation created to celebrate the work of award-winning author and illustrator Ashley Bryan, and First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise founded to address education inequity, will... Read more