group of children sitting in the grass smiling and chatting to each other

Our Solutions

How We Make an Impact

We work to remove barriers to quality education and level the playing field for kids in need. At the heart of our work are the 600,000 members of the First Book Network, the largest online community of individual educators, professionals and volunteers dedicated to supporting children in need across North America. This network is the key to creating lasting change. We conduct research studies that aggregate their voices to identify barriers to education and inform strategic solutions. To address their needs, we provide free and low-cost books and resources through the First Book Marketplace, and access to leading experts and best-practice solutions through the First Book Accelerator.

Explore more: Our Projects | Featured Stories | Our Model of Change

600,000
Educators in Our Network
6.5 Million
Children Served Annually
250+ Million
Books & Resources Distributed

Our Work

close up image of a boy reading a book.

Reading Universe

An innovative, digital platform created to support educators by providing evidence-based guidance and tools for teaching students how to read and write.

young boy looking through a book

The Impact of Book Bans on Educators and Students

First Book Research & Insights study reveals how educators and their students are responding to book bans.

young girl holding a book in each hand

Diverse Books Impact on Student Reading

First Book Research & Insights study reveals the impact increasing access to diverse books in classroom environments has on student reading and students’ reading scores.

two young boys reading books on city stoop stairs

Grants Deliver on Books

Grants promoting quality education, distribute 75,000 new books to increase kids’ excitement for reading.

group of kids assembling legos

Learning Through Play Resources

Resources created to support educators in teaching students about environmental and societal challenges and encouraging them to explore solutions.

young boy holding a Disney book at school

Building Literacy Rich Classrooms

Research & Insights study and Accelerator resource to help educators evaluate the quality of their classroom libraries.

young girl reading from a pink book

Student Mental Health

Research & Insights study and Accelerator resource to address student mental wellness in classrooms.

time for change, girl volunteering in a garden

Time for Change

An initiative designed to further changemaking, including resources for educators that suggests practical ways to inspire students to become changemakers for their schools and communities.

young parent and child reading together in a park

Magic of Storytelling

A national campaign to help distribute more than 80 million books to children in need, across the U.S. In partnership with Disney.

Stories for All Project™

Ensuring children have access to books where they can see themselves, their neighbors and the world around them, made available and affordable to educators supporting kids in need.

young hispanic girl, head in hands and looks sad

Grief, Loss & Healing

Equipping educators with resources to support children who are experiencing grief and loss. In partnership with New York Life Foundation.