First Book Blog

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

storybook treasures classroom reading

How StoryBook Treasures Creates Engaged Readers

Posted in: Our Partners

In low-income households, the ratio of books is 1 book per 300 children. To put that number in perspective, in middle-income households, there are approximately 13 books per child. The gap is eye-opening and hard to digest, which is why the partnership between StoryBook Treasures and First Book is so... Read more

tamales ingredients

Making Tamales with Author, Jennifer Torres

Posted in: Author Voices

Guest blog post written by Jennifer Torres, an award-winning author who writes stories about home, friendship, and unexpected courage inspired by her Mexican-American heritage. One of my favorite parts of the school and library presentations I get to give comes when I click on a slide showing a big bowl of... Read more

chiildren reading books together

Actor, Comedian, And Author Kevin Hart to Visit Hometown For a Major Virtual Event With Philadelphia School District For Debut Children’s Book MARCUS MAKES A MOVIE

Posted in: Press Room

On Thursday, December 16, a virtual conversation between Kevin Hart and six students from his alma mater elementary school will stream to the entire Philadelphia School District.  Random House, First Book to donate over 1,000 copies of Marcus Makes a Movie to Philadelphia schools.  New York, NY (December 15, 2021)—In partnership with First Book and the School... Read more

children reading books in a school hallway

AFT Launches Multiyear, Multimillion-Dollar ‘Reading Opens the World’ Campaign to Spark the Love of Reading

Posted in: Press Room

Multiyear literacy campaign aims to enhance reading instruction; engage parents, families, and communities; and distribute 1 million books to kids across the country WASHINGTON, D.C. — This holiday season, the American Federation of Teachers is launching a multiyear literacy campaign called “Reading Opens the World,” designed to support students, educators,... Read more

asian father reading with his two sons, family engagement resources

Our Favorite Family Engagement Resources

Throughout the last two years, families have learned first-hand what it takes to keep a child engaged in reading and education. Some of the challenges faced are new, and specific to the current state of affairs; other challenges, while perhaps not new are now compounded in an already tough learning... Read more

woman handing a child and a parent a book during the holiday season

3rd Annual Give a Million Holiday Fundraising Campaign

Posted in: Press Room

National nonprofit raising $1 million in donations to provide 1 million books to kids in need for the holidays. November 15, 2021 (Washington, D.C.) – Today, First Book, the largest online community of educators serving kids in poverty, announced the launch of its annual holiday giving campaign to raise $1... Read more

Profile picture of Ruth Chan

Celebrating the Written Word with Ruth Chan

Posted in: Author Voices

Ruth Chan is the author and illustrator of many books for young children, several of which are featured on First Book’s Marketplace. We sat down to chat with Ruth, a First Book favorite author, to learn more about what inspires her characters, how she develops ideas, and what message of... Read more

group of kids reading at their lockers

Bring Math to Life with Books

Posted in: Our Partners

To help educators spark a love for math, First Book is thrilled to continue our partnership with the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI). Each year we feature Mathical Book Prize award-winning titles, recognized for inspiring ages 2-18 to connect with and enjoy math in the everyday world, on the Marketplace.... Read more

graphic with text that says: "Double Your Impact to Help Give a Million Books! Help give a million books to kids in low-income communities this holiday season and beyond. The book you send may be the only holiday gift a child gets, and helping a child love books makes a lasting difference. Give by December 31 to double your impact through a Matching Challenge Fund from our generous friends at Pizza Hut — twice as many books with a single gift!" There is a red donation button in the lower right corner. On the left side of the graphic is an image of a young girl holding up a book and smiling.