Category Archive: Impact Stories

Books Gave Him A Sense of Home – Even When He Didn’t Have One

Posted in: Impact Stories

Today’s guess blogger is Melissa Spradlin, Executive Director of Book’em in Nashville, TN. I want to tell you about Ben. From our first meeting, Ben had an extraordinary connection with books. Every time we met to read together, he chose one to keep. He was exceptionally grateful for each one.... Read more

How Arts & Crafts Created a Space to Talk and Heal

Posted in: For Educators, Impact Stories

Today’s guest blogger is Emily Townsend, an Elementary School Counselor at Lowrie Primary School in Wilsonville, Oregon. Last year I worked daily with a fourth grade student whose father passed away right before Christmas break. He grieved mostly internally, and became increasingly distant, disengaged, and behind in school. After feeling... Read more

Imagine A School Without A Library

Posted in: For Educators, Impact Stories

Today’s guest blog post is by bestselling children’s author Megan McDonald, 2016 Spokesperson for the American Association of School Librarians National School Library Month. Imagine a school without a library. A few years back, I was honored to be a visiting author in elementary schools in the state of Florida.... Read more

An Educator’s Campaign to Revitalize Her Library

Posted in: Impact Stories

When Vanessa Cadena entered the library at Bret Harte Middle School this school year, she knew she had a big job ahead of her. It was Vanessa’s first year at the school and the library had not been updated in almost twenty years. Full of damaged and outdated books, Vanessa... Read more

Teaching Much More Than Basic Concepts

Posted in: For Educators, Impact Stories

The hundreds of parents in First Five Permian Basin’s Parents as Teachers program are learning to be their child’s first teacher. They’re excited for the challenge. Topics like counting, shapes and colors are at the top of the list of concepts to teach their kids. “Our parents may ask how... Read more

How One Shy Girl Found Friends Through Books

Posted in: Impact Stories

We recently met Victoria Hammond, a Program Coordinator at Linwood YMCA in Kansas City. She told us about Leigh, a particularly shy girl in her afterschool program who found confidence and friends through reading. Victoria noticed that she played alone and didn’t have the self-esteem to introduce herself to the... Read more

One Story to Engage ELL Families: The Wednesday Surprise

Posted in: Impact Stories

Last week, we featured Roxana Barillas, Director of Hispanic Engagement at First Book. She shared her thoughts on the ways educators can connect with ELL families. This week, Roxana shares one book from  Build Strong Families With Stories that can help in engaging ELL families in their child’s learning. One... Read more

Ways Educators Can Connect With ELL Families

Posted in: For Educators, Impact Stories

Today’s guest blogger is Roxana Barillas, Director of Hispanic Engagement at First Book. When I came to the U.S. from El Salvador at age 12, I had no knowledge of English and jumped right into a new school. My mom worked multiple jobs to support my four siblings and me,... Read more

Home Libraries Make A Huge Difference

Posted in: Impact Stories

Home libraries make a huge difference in kid’s lives. A 20-year study found that, regardless of nationality, parents’ education level or economic status, the presence of books in the home is one of greatest indicators of a child’s academic success. Researchers found that having as few as 20 books in... Read more

How To Make Reading Fun and Create Lifelong Readers

Posted in: Impact Stories

Brian Smith is on a mission: make reading fun and create lifelong readers. An educator at Newton Conover City Schools in North Carolina, Brian called upon Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author to bring books to life. Brian stocked each fourth grade classroom in his district with several copies of all ten... Read more