First Book Blog

Teachers Respond: $480 Or More Spent on Back To School Supplies for Their Classrooms

Posted in: Archive

In honor of back to school, we have been posting some rather stunning statistics about how many teachers spend money out of their own pockets for their classroom, as well as how much they are spending. Teachers across the web have responded. “Yup on average about $500” (twitter) “$480? Really?... Read more

5 Inspiring Stories Of Kids Helping Kids

Posted in: Archive

We can all learn something from the selfless acts of children. Check out these five stories of kids helping kids in need get new books. 1. The Best Neighbor Ever.                 Crestwood Intermediate School in Mantua, Ohio puts others first. The 3rd-5th graders... Read more

Meet Keondra, A Formerly Reluctant Reader

Posted in: Archive, Impact Stories

I want to tell you a story about Keondra. In a few days, Keondra will start second grade at Harrowgate Elementary School in Chester, Virginia. She cannot wait to be back in the classroom. When she began elementary school, Keondra was a reluctant reader. She struggled academically. And then she... Read more

Get Your Child Reading With The Early Childhood Ready to Read Collection

Posted in: Archive

Krista Dawson, who has been getting books from First Book for years, works with preschool children in Richmond, Virginia and recently responded to us with a great list of books that she uses to get kids started with reading. We love the list so much we created a bundle on the... Read more

11 Books for Back To School 4-8 yrs

Posted in: Archive, Our Bookshelf

Elephant and Piggie: I Broke My Trunk – Mo Willems Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In I Broke My Trunk! Gerald tells Piggie the long, crazy story about... Read more

Five Thousand Brand New Books to Kids From Military Families Courtesy of Pi Beta Phi

Posted in: Archive

“I really loved being able to do something hands on for First Book.  Knowing that the backpack I put together at the convention gave each child five new books was extremely rewarding.” – Pi Beta Phi Virginia Gamma Chapter President and senior at the College of William and Mary, Caroline... Read more

Help Your Favorite Teacher Get Free and Nearly Free New Books for Back-to-School

Posted in: Archive

Is there a teacher in your life who works with kids in need? First Book needs your help in connecting 5,000 new teachers, librarians, reading specialists and school administrators with nearly free and free NEW books for back-to-school. Anyone working at a Title I school is eligible to sign up... Read more

Books of Their Own to Take Home: The Guru Krupa Foundation & Summer Reading

Posted in: Archive

When Estrella Elementary opened their doors in 2010, they had barely any books available to students. A Title I school located in an impoverished Los Angeles neighborhood, Estrella can only supply a limited number of books and educational resources to each classroom, and has no books at all to help... Read more

The Lack of Diversity in Children's Books, Charmingly Illustrated

Posted in: Archive

The lack of diversity in children’s books is a serious problem, and one that First Book is working to solve through The Stories for All Project. This terrific piece by artist Tina Kugler illustrates some statistics from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. And, while the illustration is charming, the reality... Read more

Mary Pope Osborne supports First Book through Classroom Adventures

Posted in: Archive

Mary Pope Osborne, longtime friend and partner of First Book, is offering her readers the opportunity to apply directly for free collections of her beloved titles through her very own Classroom Adventures Program. These books are provided for by grants which Ms. Osborne awards through her Gift of Books Program... Read more