First Book Loves "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"
Posted In: Focus on First Book
March 25, 2011
We know most of you are probably already excited about the new "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" movie - opening tonight! We are too, of course.
Although, as one must always say when one sees a movie based on a book, "Well, that was pretty good ... but have you read the book?"
In case you haven't, we've got something even better than a movie for you ... First Book's special paperback edition of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". Read More
First Book Goes to Detroit
Posted In: Impact Stories
March 24, 2011
First Book was in Detroit this past week, distributing 50,000 new books to kids from low-income neighborhoods. The books were distributed to 50 schools in the Detroit metropolitan region.
"Our teachers are absolutely thrilled," said Dan Maier of the YMCA Detroit Leadership Academy. "As a brand new school, we only have the required number of text books and these books are a godsend. It’s like Christmas in February." Read More
Why I Chose First Book: Bill Burch
Posted In: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories
March 21, 2011
Bill Burch
Chair of the First Book-Boyd County Advisory Board
Boyd County, Kentucky
Boyd County, KY, is located in the foothills of the Appalachians, along the banks of the Ohio River. It is a rural community, home to less than 50,000 people. But Bill Burch, chair of the local First Book volunteer chapter – known as an Advisory Board – has managed to get thousands of books into the hands of area children in need, and raise the funds to do it locally.
"I understand the impact of reading," said Burch. "How important it is to children, how important it is for them to have books in their homes." Read More
Join the First Book Blogger Book Club!
Posted In: Focus on First Book
March 18, 2011
Did you catch our inaugural First Book Blogger Book Club? We asked some of our favorite book bloggers to read 'Slam' by Nick Hornby, and tell us what they thought. It's a great way to let more people know about the young adult titles we carry on the First Book Marketplace, and get people talking about some of the books we love.
And now we want you! You've always wanted to join a book club, right? Book bloggers in particular, but anyone with a blog or a website, or even just a Facebook page is welcome to participate. Read the book, think it over, and tell us what you think! We'll be spotlighting everyone's posts and reviews on April 19, and then we can discuss the book here on the First Book blog. Read More
Vampires, Wimps and Atticus Finch
Posted In: Impact Stories
March 16, 2011
We are always anxious to let people know about the amazing books that we carry on the First Book Marketplace (our award-winning online site that makes quality titles available at deep discounts to programs serving children in need). In fact, we just added some new titles that we are even more excited about than usual ... Read More
How Jane Eyre is Helping First Book …
Posted In: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories
March 12, 2011
At First Book, we spend our work hours getting new books to kids in need, and we spend our free time reading (naturally). But, on rare occasions, we do go out to the movies. And our favorite movies? Ones made from classic books, of course. (We are also fans of heart-warming sports movies, but that's neither here nor there).
So we're pretty excited to see the new Jane Eyre film this weekend. Romance! Tragedy! Dark manor houses upon the brooding moors! Dame Judi Dench! What's not to love? Read More
Giving to First Book: Two Authors Make a Difference
Posted In: Focus on First Book
March 11, 2011
We're always pleased when people choose to help support our mission at First Book, especially when those donations help advance the cause of literacy. So we were excited to hear that award-winning authors Kevin Guilfoile and Jonathan Eig have decided to donate $2 for First Book for every copy of their books sold in March, as part of The Morning News Tournament of Books. Read More
How First Book Gained an Army of Warehouse Workers …
Posted In: Focus on First Book
March 9, 2011
We move a lot of books at First Book. Over five million books last year, to schools and programs serving kids from low-income communities, and those cases of books are HEAVY.
Sometimes people assume we have a warehouse somewhere, maybe at our national headquarters in DC. We definitely do not. (Our staff is doubled up in many of our offices, so there is definitely no room for giant pallets filled with books. Not to mention the difficulty of driving great big trucks through the streets of our nation's capital).
So where do all these books come from? Read More
First Book and RIF: The Gift of Literacy
Posted In: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories
March 7, 2011
Today's blog post comes from Kyle Zimmer, First Book's president and co-founder, as part of the 'Share a Story, Shape a Future' project.
I was delighted when Carol Rasco from RIF asked me to contribute a blog post to the 'Share a Story, Shape a Future' project, partly because this year's theme - The Gift of Literacy - so perfectly distills First Book's mission, and partly because Carol is a dear friend and a lovely human being. (Not to mention an undisputed master of Twitter!)
In the past I have been asked if I consider Reading is Fundamental (RIF) to be a competitor to First Book. I love this question – it gives me a chance to explain that the opposite is true. In fact, RIF and First Book have been partners in reaching children in need and our missions are complementary. RIF is on the front lines fighting the battle against illiteracy while First Book is building a supply system working to offer books and educational resources for free — or at deeply discounted prices — to heroic RIF programs and other community initiatives all over the country. The better we do our job at First Book, the further we will be able to stretch your dollars – bringing more books to more children. Read More
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Posted In: Focus on First Book
March 2, 2011
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.
Today is Read Across America Day - the birthday of Dr. Seuss. We love Dr. Seuss, and we know you all love him too. (In fact, we can prove it scientifically.)
Here are some other ways you can celebrate: Read More