First Book Blog

First Book Earns Highest Possible Rating from Charity Navigator

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We’re proud to announce that First Book has earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest possible ranking from America’s premier charity evaluator. “We’ve been putting new books into the hands of children and teachers for twenty years. The work that we do helps transform the lives of kids... Read more

Barclays Delivers Books to Brooklyn

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Last week, Barclays volunteers visited PAVE Academy in Brooklyn, NY to read with students and hand-deliver brand new books from First Book.  Volunteers visited the Howard and Syracuse kindergarten classrooms to read four different books to 50 excited students, including the Barclays special branded edition of Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense, a... Read more

Kids Are Eager to Read: Just Add Books

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First Book was part of all kinds of great events across the country for Read Across America Day on Friday, including a tremendous partnership in the city of Newark. Working with some great local nonprofits, we were able to provide almost 17,000 brand-new books — including plenty of Dr. Seuss... Read more

Let's Read Across America!

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Happy Read Across America Day! NEA’s Read Across America Day is the largest reading event in the nation and a reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. Read Across America is an excellent... Read more

Creating Success Stories for 20 Years

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Twenty years ago I was volunteering every week at a soup kitchen in Washington, D.C., where I met the most amazing children and families. As I got to know them, I saw how much they had to struggle, but I also saw how bright they were and how motivated they... Read more

Share the LOVE of Books

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There is no denying it, First Book loves books and we LOVE getting books into the hands of kids in need. This Valentine’s Day, we ask you to share the love of First Book with teachers and program leaders who work with children from underprivileged families. Let them know that they can... Read more

Barclays and First Book Bring New Books to Newark

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Last week, volunteers from Barclays made their fourth visit to Vailsburg Elementary School, one of North Star Academy Charter School’s Newark, NJ campuses, to host a Barclays reading party. The volunteers started their morning as part of Vailsburg’s Community Circle, a school-wide gathering that is a core part of the... Read more

Happy Friendiversary! Mo Willems and First Book Join Forces to Bring New Books to New Orleans Kids

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Today is Friendiversary, when we celebrate the anniversary of our friendships. Think of one of your oldest and dearest friends. When did you first meet? How did you meet? That story is the story of your Friendiversary. First Book is celebrating Friendiversary this week by providing 7,000 new Elephant &... Read more

Book of the Month: Barefoot World Atlas

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Our book of the month on the First Book Marketplace is the Barefoot World Atlas, which looks at all the ways that different cultures and communities across the world have been shaped by their environment. “Two years ago, our girls participated in thematic unit on water where they learned about... Read more

She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain

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Dear First Book, Thank you for giving us the books. We really like them. You guys have the best books ever because my little sister loves these books. I like the ‘Nancy Drew Goes to Hollywood’ one. Your books are really fun to read and they’re funny. I also like... Read more