First Book Blog

In Response to “Demand For Diversity”: Kids Deserve Diverse Books

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada

BookNet Canada recently released “Demand for Diversity: A Survey of Canadian Readers” where 58% of the 500 respondents agreed that “they (and others) would benefit from more diverse books.” At First Book Canada, we have been hearing this demand for more diverse books from our network of educators for years.... Read more

Behind the Scenes at First Book Canada: Hany

Posted in: Archive

Hany Mehari is the Finance/IT Coordinator at First Book Canada. He took a few minutes from balancing the books to discuss what he does and why he likes working at First Book Canada.   What does your day to day look like?  My day to day is fixated on performing accounting duties so I can... Read more

Behind the Scenes at First Book Canada: Tessa

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada, Inside First Book Canada

Tessa Eisenberg is the National Engagement Coordinator at First Book Canada. The first thing you notice when walking up to her office is the giant poster of comments that detail how individuals receiving books from First Book Canada will use and distribute them to the kids they serve. Can you tell me... Read more

2018 Member Survey Results

Posted in: First Book Research & Insights, Focus on First Book Canada

Each year, we reach out to all the educators and community leaders who are registered with First Book Canada to hear from them about the kids they serve, the challenges they face in their communities, the impact of the books and resources, and more. We’ve taken out some of the... Read more

Sharing A Love For Books: A Conversation with Carey Sookochef

Posted in: Author Voices

Carey Sookocheff is the illustrator of the critically acclaimed Buddy and Earl series and What Happens Next, and the author/illustrator of Solutions for Cold Feet and Other Little Problems and Wet. Her illustrations have also appeared in a variety of newspapers and magazines. She lives in Toronto with her husband, two kids, and their dog Rosie. We are... Read more

Building a Connected Community

Posted in: Impact Stories

Below is a letter from Graham Hughes, Executive Director of Literacy Alberni in Port Alberni, B.C. “I’ve lived in Port Alberni for most of my life and seen the changes cutbacks to education have had on classroom resources, opportunities for children, and now as a professional, the impacts these cutbacks have... Read more

Behind the Scenes at First Book Canada: Rebeca

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada, Inside First Book Canada

Rebeca Delgado is the Programs Coordinator at First Book Canada. Can you tell us a bit about what you do as Programs Coordinator? As Programs Coordinator, there are 3 major things that I oversee. 1: For the First Book Canada Marketplace, I oversee the book purchases – making sure we have a variety of... Read more

Cutting the Education Budget at the Cost of Kids in Need

Posted in: Focus on First Book Canada, For Educators

The Ontario Government has recently proposed increases to the class sizes for grades 4 and up. The largest increase will be seen at the high school level, with classes jumping up to on average 28 students, and in some instances as high as 40 students. A larger class size means... Read more

First Book Canada and Raptors 905 Celebrate the Conclusion of the 2019 Raptors 905 Reading Challenge

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Releases

— La version française suit du texte anglais — Reading Day Celebration event recognizes the achievements of students from Peel and Dufferin schools  MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (March 28, 2019) – On Tuesday, March 26, 2019, over 400 students from the Peel District School Board and Dufferin Catholic School Board gathered at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre... Read more

The Gift Of A New Book: A Conversation with Hilary Leung

Posted in: Author Voices

Hilary Leung is a Toronto-based author and illustrator. When he isn’t creating picture books, he can be found at home playing with his two awesome kids. We’re so glad he took some time to tell us why he loves being an Author Champion. Why do you work with First Book... Read more