First Book Blog

Sit, Stay, Read: Kids & Canines Learning Literacy Skills Together

Posted in: Impact Stories

The canine volunteers at SitStayRead visit classrooms in some of Chicago’s most troubled neighborhoods. The elementary school students they meet often juggle more responsibilities than most kids their age, so learning to read can seem like an extra chore. If you feel stressed about reading, like some of our little... Read more

Chromebooks Are Here!

Posted in: For Educators, Inside First Book Canada

It has always been First Book’s mission to provide access to new books for children in need. When children today grow up they will depend not only on their reading skills, but also their skills with technology. That is why First Book is proud to offer new Chromebooks on its... Read more

Educators and Families: A Powerful Partnership

Posted in: For Educators

Looking for ways to get families more involved with your classroom or program? Or for resources to send home with them? The First Book Marketplace is the place to go! Visit us for great family read alouds, resource collections for kids ages 0-12 and tips to arm caregivers with the... Read more

Welcome Back to School

Posted in: For Educators

There are still a few weeks of summer left, but now is the time to find everything you need to build an enriching environment for the kids in your school, class or program. First Book’s Back to School Hub is your source for great books and resources that will help turn... Read more

One Campaign. A Lasting Culture of Reading.

Posted in: Impact Stories

Six years ago, Sue Resnick and Liz Frankel started the Cottage Kids Read program at the Pleasantville Cottage School. While volunteering at the school they noticed something that struck them. There weren’t any books to read for pleasure in the cottages where the students lived. Located in Pleasantville, NY, the... Read more

Take Your Imagination On Vacation

Posted in: For Educators

  Children don’t need planes, trains and automobiles to be transported to different countries, different worlds or even different points of view. All it takes is an engaged imagination and the right resources and they can explore the far-off corners of their active and growing minds. First Book offers books... Read more

Cathy Was My Best Friend. Here’s How I Honored Her.

Posted in: Impact Stories

Judy Willner is an educator and writing skills teacher for elementary school students in Philadelphia. When she lost her closest friend Cathy earlier this year, Judy decided the best way to honor her would be to set up a First Book campaign. She wanted to celebrate their shared love of... Read more

How to Campaign Like a #FirstBookChampion

Posted in: For Educators

Being a First Book Champion is all about spreading the joy of reading to kids in need. Starting a campaign is the first step to becoming a champion. The next step is brainstorming – thinking of all the clever ways you can get donors invested in your cause. Lucky for... Read more

One Fan’s Campaign to Honor Her Favorite Book-Loving Celebrity

Posted in: Impact Stories

There is one woman who inspires Tesa Brand, a community volunteer and aspiring publicist from Fort Wayne, Indiana: Kerry Washington. Washington, the star of ABC’s Scandal, is an education advocate and avid reader. For her birthday last January, Washington started a campaign to provide books for kids in need by raising... Read more

Monthly Book List: Our Five Favorite Books this July

Posted in: For Educators

Our favorite books this July include the final Elephant and Piggie book. a book to inspire community engagement and creativity, the story of one of your kids’ favorite summertime toys, a captivating novel for animal lovers and a smart and suspenseful novel for mature readers. Read on to see all... Read more