First Book Blog

‘Link to Libraries’ Connects Education With Basic Needs

Posted in: Impact Stories

Since 2008, nonprofit organization Link to Libraries has served kids in need all across Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. President and Co-Founder Susan Jaye-Kaplan helped start the organization to give kids opportunities to explore our world through books and expand their horizons. Recently it has become so much more. Link to... Read more

First Book Launches Fundraising Campaign to Replace Libraries Destroyed in Louisiana Floods

Posted in: Press Releases

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and other publishers to provide new books and resources to public libraries, school libraries, and home libraries across Baton Rouge and surrounding areas WASHINGTON, September 1, 2016 – First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 150 million books to children in need, is... Read more

A Library Full of Books & Happiness

Posted in: Impact Stories

Will they still be here tomorrow? students often ask Morgan VanClief, the librarian at P.A. Shaw Elementary School in Dorchester, MA. They’re asking about the brand new books that Morgan has been able to bring to the school’s library through generous grants and access to the First Book Marketplace. Many... Read more

Active Bodies, Active Minds: Boost Wellness & Learning with Sports Equipment

Posted in: For Educators, Inside First Book Canada

Experts say that one way to help your kids get a jump on learning is to help them, well, JUMP!  Boosting students’ physical activity not only supports health and wellness and makes kids feel better, but it turns out that it can help them learn better, too. That’s why First... Read more

First Book, Target Team Up to Bring New Sports Equipment to Further Wellness and Learning for Children in Need

Posted in: Press Releases

From Soccer Balls to Baseballs, Target Helps First Book Go to Bat to Help Educators Boost Physical Activity for Kids in Need WASHINGTON, August 25, 2016 — As part of its ongoing mission to further educational equity, First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise, is adding sports and fitness equipment to... Read more

Use Guided Reading Levels to Find the Perfect Books on the First Book Marketplace

Posted in: For Educators

Use Guided Reading Levels to find the perfect books for every child you serve. Thanks to the feedback from our community of educators, First Book Marketplace users can now utilize our Advanced Search tool to find books with Guided Reading Levels (GRLs). GRLs are great for both students and educators.... Read more

First Book and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing to Donate 20,000 Jason Reynolds’ Books to Children in Need

Posted in: Press Releases

Acclaimed author will visit Washington, DC schools to share his journey WASHINGTON, August 22, 2016 – First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 150 million books to children in need, has partnered with Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing to distribute 20,000 copies of award-winning author Jason... Read more

Q&A with Author Jason Reynolds

Posted in: For Educators, Impact Stories

Author Jason Reynolds’ books start the conversations about the difficult issues facing kids today. His experiences, as told through the characters in his stories, are very much like those of the children we serve – which is why we feel it’s so important for them to hear Jason’s voice. We... Read more

Sneak Peek: Resources For Social & Emotional Development

Posted in: For Educators

Books are not only a great resource for developing reading skills, they are also a fantastic way to help kids develop healthy feelings and relationships. In the coming weeks, the First Book Marketplace will feature a collection of hand-picked books that address key aspects of social and emotional development. In... Read more

Monthly Book List: Our Five Favorite Books for August

Posted in: For Educators

Our favorite books this August are sure to capture imaginations with beautiful illustrations, unconventional characters, and fascinating true stories. Read on to see the titles that hooked our book experts this month! For Pre-K –K (Ages 3-6) Who’s That?: Arctic Animals (Board Book) by Tad Carpenter We love all the... Read more