First Book Blog

Celebrating International Literacy Day

Posted in: Archive, For Educators

International Literacy Day is September 8. First Book and our friends at the International Reading Association are challenging students and teachers to spend 60 seconds each day for the next 60 days to doing small activities that enhance literacy skills. Celebrate your love for reading on International Literacy Day with... Read more

Take Action for Kids in Need

Posted in: Archive

When Melissa Deneen Shipp surprised each of her students with a new book of their very own, their reaction surprised her. “Normally this is the part when they maul me with hugs,” she said. “But instead they just stared. They literally couldn’t believe their eyes!” She told her students, “Yes,... Read more

Five First Book Favorites for Back to School

Posted in: Archive, Our Bookshelf

It’s time to go back to school! Get your kids excited about reading with First Book’s five favorite books for the new school year. If you work with kids in need, you can find these titles on the First Book Marketplace by clicking on the pictures next to the description of each... Read more

Books Strengthen Family Bonds

Posted in: Archive

Lydia sat with her two children in the waiting room. Her eldest read aloud from his new book, pausing every now and again to teach his mother and younger sister how to say the words in English. His little sister beamed with pride when he let her turn the page.... Read more

More Than Books for Back to School

Posted in: Archive

Yesterday marked the first day of school for many kids across the country. And from Sacramento to Savannah, classroom shelves were stocked and backpacks stuffed to the brim with brand new books from First Book. For over 20 years, we’ve been in the fortunate position to help teachers get the... Read more

Share Your First Day with First Book!

Posted in: Archive

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 The first day of school is a memorable time for kids, teachers, and parents alike! We’ve started posting our back to school memories on Instagram, and we want to see yours, too! Share your pictures of a first day at school... Read more

It's Back to School We Go

Posted in: Archive

Another school year is upon us. Teachers set up new classrooms for the year – decorating, planning fun ways to teach important lessons and preparing for desks full of new students. Books, new school supplies, empty notebooks wait to be filled with knowledge – all icons of a new year... Read more

Three Books to Stay Healthy this School Year

Posted in: Our Bookshelf

Today’s guest blogger Donna Marquardt, a Registered Nurse with the Gaston County Department of Health & Human Services, talks about healthy habits for the new school year. Back to School is just around the corner and that can mean a lot of different things to different people — a new... Read more

Imagine That! How One Girl's Imaginary Pet Brought Books to Her Whole Class

Posted in: Archive

Karen loves to draw. So when her teacher, Ms. Spezziali, told her class about the Purina® PAWty Challenge, this Garfield Elementary kindergartner was especially excited to participate. The rules of the challenge were: Draw a pet (or an imaginary pet) for your classroom, name it and write a story describing... Read more

How Kansas City Kids Beat Summer Slide

Posted in: Archive

All summer long, you’ve heard how summer slide – the learning loss that occurs when kids are out of school – adds up for kids who don’t have access to books and other learning opportunities. But there’s good news – many schools and organizations throughout the country are working hard... Read more