First Book Blog

The Stories for All Project: African American Author Tony Medina on Connecting Multicultural Books with Children of Color

Posted in: Author Voices

Our guest blogger today is author Tony Medina, whose book “DeShawn Days”, from Lee & Low Books, is part of First Book’s Stories For All Project. “As a child in the Throgs Neck Housing Projects in the Bronx, I did not grow up with books. The only person I saw reading... Read more

The Stories for All Project: Native American Author Joe Bruchac on Growing Up on the Reservation and the Power of Books

Posted in: Author Voices

Our guest blogger today is author Joseph Bruchac, whose book “Jim Thorpe’s Bright Path”, from Lee & Low Books, is part of First Book’s Stories For All Project. What does a book mean to a child? A book all his or her own? I can’t remember a time when I didn’t... Read more

Happy Birthday, Amelia Bedelia! A Q&A With Author, Herman Parish

Posted in: Author Voices

It’s been 50 years since the original author of Amelia Bedelia, Peggy Parish, debuted the popular children’s book series. Peggy passed away in 1988 but her Amelia Bedelia legacy lives on. Herman Parish, Peggy’s nephew, took over the series after Peggy’s passing. First Book recently interviewed Herman Parish about Amelia... Read more

First Book Supports 50,000 Local Schools and Community Programs. (Yes! 50,000!)

Posted in: Focus on First Book

Last year First Book made it a goal to reach more kids in need by doubling the number of local schools and community programs in our national network, from 25,000 to 50,000. We’ve reached that number! Over 50,000 Title I classrooms, early childhood education programs, afterschool programs, museums and libraries,... Read more

How First Book Works with Pi Beta Phi to Support Girls Everywhere

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

Today’s guest blog post is from Ann Shaw, Director of Philanthropy for Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women. Ann has held this volunteer role for the past six years. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arkansas and her Master’s in Education from the University of New... Read more

The Stories for All Project: Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is

Posted in: Focus on First Book

At First Book, we want to see all kids become strong readers, the critical step to succeeding in school and in life. But all too often the children we work with have books with characters and stories that aren’t relevant to their lives. And that makes it harder to turn... Read more

Investing in Education: Kyle Zimmer's Reaction to the State of the Union

Posted in: Focus on First Book

“Every dollar we invest in high-quality early education can save more than seven dollars later on – by boosting graduation rates, reducing teen pregnancy, even reducing violent crime.” — President Barack Obama I was grateful to hear the president talk about early childhood education tonight, and the enormous impact it... Read more

15,000 New Books on the National Mall, Plus Celebrities, Cabinet Secretaries and Cute Kids

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

On Saturday, volunteers from across the country joined First Book on the National Mall in Washington DC to celebrate President Obama’s National Day of Service by providing 15,000 brand-new books to DC-area children from low-income families. Click here to see photos of the event, including pictures of volunteers, political leaders,... Read more

Operation Bookitecture!

Posted in: Impact Stories

KPMG’s Family for Literacy brightened the holiday season for children across the country by bringing more than 49,000 brand new books to children in need as part of their firm-wide community service project, Operation Bookitecture. This was no ordinary book drive, however.  Nearly 3,000 KPMG employees in 70 offices across... Read more

Pi Beta Phi Brings Books About Great American Women to Kids in Need

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

This past November, First Book’s partner, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women, celebrated their 100-year commitment to literacy service. To honor the momentous occasion, the Fraternity donated a special Pi Beta Phi edition of “Remember the Ladies: 100 Great American Women” to every student at Pi Beta Phi Elementary School... Read more