Author Archive: Calyssa Erb

First Book Canada launches initiative to provide thousands of care kits to families in women’s shelters

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Releases

Toronto, ON (November 1, 2019) – First Book Canada is pleased to launch its initiative to provide thousands of care kits to families living in women’s shelters over the summer. This project is possible through generous donations from Canaccord Genuity Corp., Penguin Random House Canada, Fruits & Passions, and The Face Shop... Read more

First Book Canada collaborates with Amazon Canada to deliver 100,000 books to kids in need

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Releases

TORONTO, ON, October 16, 2019 – First Book Canada and Amazon.ca collaborated for the second year in a row, providing 100,000 brand new books to kids in high-needs communities throughout Canada. This generous donation was made possible by Amazon.ca customers who participated in the Buy 1, Give 1 campaign over the summer,... Read more

Behind the Scenes at First Book Canada: Calyssa

Posted in: Inside First Book Canada

Can you tell us a bit about what you do as the Communications Coordinator? As Communications Coordinator, I create, curate, and manage all our communications going out across a variety of channels. I’m constantly checking on our online community through our social media platforms, creating emails to our donors and... Read more

A Decade in Review

Posted in: Inside First Book Canada

Top 10 First Book Canada Moments, 2009 – 2019 When we started in 2009, we had a small, dedicated team of 2. Now, in 2019, we are a passionate and committed team of 7. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, let’s look back on the last decade of growth, success, and... Read more

CONTEST: Win copies of Greta Thunberg’s book!

Posted in: For Educators, Our Partners

To spread Greta Thunberg’s message in her book “No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference,” First Book Canada is collaborating with Penguin Random House Canada to offer registered educators the chance to win copies of Greta’s book for their students! How to Enter: From October 1 at 9:00... Read more

Fueling the Imagination: Conversation with Qin Leng

Posted in: Author Voices

Qin Leng is a designer and illustrator known for her illustrations of children’s books. She graduated from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema and has received many awards for her animated short films and artwork. Throughout her career, Qin has illustrated over 30 picture books, magazines and book covers with... Read more

Leaping Into New Reads

Posted in: Impact Stories, Our Partners

In July, we partnered with Leacock Foundation to provide two fantastic Reading Celebrations with their “LEAP Into Literacy” Summer Camp. HELAINE BECKER AT WOBURN PUBLIC SCHOOL The first Reading Celebration was held on July 19 with author Helaine Becker. Volunteers from TD Bank Group and CompuCom joined us at the... Read more

A Birthday Wish: Your Help in Providing Books to Kids

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada

This year we’re turning 10 years old! In the last ten years, First Book Canada has distributed over 7 MILLION brand new books to children and youth from high-needs communities throughout the country. We know that nearly 25% of Canadian homes do not have a single book in them. We... Read more

Making an Impact: A Letter from the Executive Director

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada, Inside First Book Canada

Click here to read the 2018 Impact Report in full. Education is a child’s best path out of poverty, but almost 25% of Canadian households do not have a single book. Providing children and youth with books to read, especially at home, has proven to help to improve literacy, education outcomes... Read more

Preventing Summer Slide: First Book Canada and the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation Donate 40,000 New Books to Kids in Need

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Releases

Toronto, ON (June 26, 2019) – First Book Canada is partnering with the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation to donate over 40,000 new books to 30 high-needs elementary schools country-wide. These books will arrive before the summer break, giving students access to quality reading material over the summer and preventing... Read more