First Book Blog - Education News & Stories

Empowering Educators: ABAR Teaching in Action

Posted in: First Book research & insights, For Educators, Our Partners

In 2019, First Book surveyed its network of educators, with the intention to provide additional resources that would help them proactively engage their students in conversations about race. These findings helped create a series of free resources that were informed by leading anti-bias and antiracist (ABAR) experts like...

Pat Mora on Bookjoy

Posted in: Author Voices

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Children’s Day, Book Day on April 30 — the kickoff of a year-long commitment to celebrate reading! First Book is excited to celebrate with author, Pat Mora, to share bookjoy and to help motivate children to read throughout the year. We connected with author and reading advocate P...

How to Celebrate Earth Day with First Book

Posted in: For Educators

For many of us, Earth Day reminds of our childhood lessons to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and perhaps recalls memories of school-wide competitions, for which homeroom could bring in the most recycled items. Pizza parties for the win! But now, Earth Day is and can be so much more, with many more opportunities to instill heal...

Audemars Piguet Pays Tribute to Marvel's Inspirational Heroes

Posted in: Press Room

2021 marks the dawn of a new era and the start of a collaboration between Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet and Marvel, one of the most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Inspired by historical character watches, including some of Gérald Genta's timepieces from the 1980s, Audemars Pigu...

15 Novels in Verse to Celebrate Poetry Month

Posted in: Our Bookshelf

Guest post written by Lori Prince, Director of Merchandising at First Book Before my years at First Book, I was a poet. The poetry I knew as a child was the poetry of songs — folk music at home, hymns at church, show tunes in choir — so the idea of saying something big through something rather small was there from the...

Top 5 Beyond Book Supplies to Add to Your Cart Right Now

Posted in: For Educators

Long-time educators and new Marketplace shoppers know that First Book is on a mission to build a path out of poverty through educational equity. Brand-new books are an essential part of the work we do, but the Marketplace also boasts additional supplies that go beyond books to help learners of all ages dive into new su...

How First Book Advances Racial Equity Through Innovative Partnerships

Posted in: First Book research & insights, Focus on First Book, 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 . The events of the past year have created a tipping point in the fight for racial justice. As a nation, we cannot move forward until we take r...

How Trauma Is Impacting Children in the Classroom

Posted in: First Book research & insights, For Educators

In a recent survey of educators, we asked our network of educators about the impact of COVID-19 on students. The results show that kids are preoccupied with the pandemic, worried about their friends and family, and concerned about their own health. The survey confirmed what teachers and parents already know— the pandem...

Spring Clean Your Classroom Bookshelf

Posted in: Focus on First Book, For Educators

Daylight saving time officially started this week, which means spring is just around the corner. As you might spring clean your home, now is a great time to spring clean your bookshelf and evaluate if your classroom library celebrates and explores different identities and lived experiences. Spring cleaning your classro...

Five Questions with Hena Khan

Posted in: Author Voices, Our Bookshelf

Happy book birthday to Hena Khan's new book Amina’s Song , published today (March 9, 2021)! This past January, as a part of our activities for National Day of Service , Khan did a live reading of Amina's Song - a companion book to Amina’s Voice - and through Khan’s participation and support from educators across the Un...