First Book Blog

How Books Shape Our Dialogue Around Diversity & Race

Posted in: Author Voices

In 2021, the Children’s Cooperative Book Center reviewed 3,357 books and found that only 9.3% were written by Black authors and 13.3% featured Black characters. While the statistics are staggering, the problem with the lack of diversity in books extends beyond any bookshelf as the books we read and learn... Read more

Disney Launches 10th Annual Magic of Storytelling Campaign in Collaboration with First Book

Posted in: Press Room

This guest post was written by Allison Citino, Director, Communications, Games, Publishing and Merchandise. Calling all book lovers, storytellers, and magic makers! This week Disney kicked off its 10th Annual Magic of Storytelling campaign with First Book, a nonprofit organization that puts free or affordable books and resources into the hands... Read more

Meet Cece Bell – First Book Friend, Author & AppleTV Superstar

Posted in: Author Voices

On January 7, the First Book family celebrated the El Deafo premiere on AppleTV, written and illustrated by long-time friend, donor, and author Cece Bell. Truly a wonderful human being and supporter of First Book, Cece and her husband Tom Angleberger, have always been generous when it comes to the... Read more

First Book and Ashoka Join Forces with Swiss Haute Horlogerie Manufacturer Audemars Piguet to Launch Initiative to Inspire Youth as Changemakers

Posted in: Press Room

 Collaboration Will Equip Young People in Low-Income and Historically Excluded Communities with the Opportunities and Tools to Create Change Program Kicks Off with Actionable New Changemaking Resources for Educators January 18, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) – First Book, the largest online community of educators serving kids in poverty, and Ashoka, the... Read more

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

Why The Nonprofit Sector Can No Longer Dance Around Infrastructure Challenges

Posted in: Thought Leadership

Guest post written by Kyle Zimmer, President, CEO & Co-founder of First Book. Kyle is a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council. This article was originally published on Forbes. Nonprofits are tackling humanity’s most complex problems — but without the fundamental infrastructure afforded our private sector counterparts. There is an old saying... Read more

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

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

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

Our Favorite Family Engagement Resources

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Our Partners

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