First Book Blog

How First Book & The White House are Transforming Education Today

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

At the heart of First Book’s mission to help children in need read, learn and succeed is the distribution of educational content. Breaking down the barriers to accessing books and other information can lift the kids we serve and their communities out of poverty and into bright futures. When President... Read more

Our Crazy Summer Reading Program Was A Go!

Posted in: Impact Stories, Our Partners

Today’s Guest Blogger is Amy Bartilotti, the Communities in Schools Site Coordinator at Bellwood Elementary School in Chesterfield, VA. Summer is particularly difficult for kids from low-income families. With few books at home and limited access to libraries, they often fall behind. Last year, my colleagues and I decided to... Read more

The Right Book at the Right Time

Posted in: Impact Stories

Today’s blog post is part of our Stories For All Project series, focused on sharing the latest announcements and impact stories about our effort to put diverse, inclusive books into the hands of kids. Today’s guest blogger is Melissa Spradlin, Executive Director of Book’em in Nashville, TN. Every day I... Read more

These Children Saw Themselves in a Book

Posted in: Impact Stories

Today’s blog post is part of our Stories For All Project series, focused on sharing the latest announcements and impact stories about our effort to put diverse, inclusive books into the hands of kids. Cathy Gaudio reads aloud to a group of students in Phoenix, Arizona.  It’s a special day... Read more

First Book Joins White House to Bring Thousands of e-Books to Kids in Need

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Our Partners

We know that access to books – in all forms – is critical for children to develop into readers. Now, through a new White House-led initiative, First Book is helping connect children in need across the country with access to thousands of e-books. The initiative, announced today by President Obama,... Read more

Sparking Students’ Interest In Math

Posted in: Impact Stories

When it’s time for a math lesson, Sarah Richardson’s kindergarten class sits in a group, with one hand on their heads, counting on the other hand in front of them.  They’re learning addition using a method called “counting on”. This can be a very tricky skill for some of Sarah’s... Read more

One More Page

Posted in: Impact Stories

Dr. Shirley Johnson, in her words, is an educator to the depths of her soul. Over the last 40 years, she has been a teacher, administrator, union leader, curriculum supervisor and an education advocate.  Most recently, she opened The Resource Room, an afterschool education program for children ages five to... Read more

Kwame Alexander Q&A: Poetry Provides Possibilities

Posted in: Author Voices

We recently had the opportunity to talk with author Kwame Alexander about how poetry can draw a reluctant reader into a lifelong love of books and the creative process behind his book, “The Crossover,” awarded the 2015 Newbery Medal for Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children. The first thing we noticed about... Read more

Books to Start A Dialogue About Disabilities

Posted in: For Educators, Our Bookshelf

Today’s guest blogger is Leslie Anido, a special needs teacher in California. She first connected with First Book as a member of long-time partner Pi Beta Phi Fraternity. She now receives books and resources for the children she serves through First Book.   Books have helped our students look beyond... Read more

Q&A with Mary Mazzio: Underwater Dreams documentary filmmaker

Posted in: Author Voices

We had the privilege of speaking with Mary Mazzio – an award-winning filmmaker and creator of Underwater Dreams, a documentary film chronicling the inspirational story of four teenage boys, each the son of Mexican immigrants, who enter a sophisticated robotics competition and defeat the likes of engineering powerhouse MIT. In addition... Read more