First Book Blog

Stories of impact, the latest research, best practices, curated book lists, and more.

The Achievement Gap Starts In the Summer

Posted in: Archive

This week is First Book’s Summer Reading Week! Summer is an exciting time of year that provides students with the opportunity to relax and take a break from the demands of school. It is also the time of year when many students suffer summer learning and reading loss. When students... Read more

Barclays Brings Books to Kids in Need

Posted in: Archive

Today’s guest blog post is from Julia Falkenstern, a Strategic Alliances coordinator at First Book. Julia works with corporate partners like Barclays, KPMG and Pi Beta Phi to ensure that children from low-income families throughout the country have the opportunity to own new books. At the end of May, First Book... Read more

When Life Gives You O.J.

Posted in: Archive

First Book’s own Erica Perl, Director of Publisher Relations at First Book, is also an award-winning children’s book author. Her most recent effort, When Life Gives You O.J., is her first middle grade novel and was called “a must read for all 8-12 year olds”. Erica’s love and knowledge of children’s... Read more

First Book Canada Brings Books to 30,000 Kids in Alberta

Posted in: Archive

Our friends at First Book Canada just wrapped up the largest book distribution in their three-year history, distributing 30,000 books to children from low-income homes in the city of Calgary and across the province of Alberta. Like First Book in the U.S., First Book Canada relies on the generosity of... Read more

First Book Friday: My First Book Distribution

Posted in: Archive

Today’s guest blog post is from Susanne Sparks, an engagement manager at First Book. She’s passionate about leveling the playing field so that all children can learn, grow, and thrive. Last week, I traveled to Jacksonville, Fla. with three of my colleagues to distribute books via the First Book National... Read more

430,000 Books To Kids!

Posted in: Archive

Thanks to Disney Publishing Worldwide and the Duval County Public School System, First Book was able to distribute 430,000 books to kids in need throughout the country last week. We packed and shipped thousands of boxes and we loaded up dozens of cars and trucks with books; we even loaded... Read more

This is What 400,000 New Books for Kids in Need Looks Like

Posted in: Archive

First Book is in Jacksonville, Fla. this week, distributing 400,000 brand-new books to programs serving kids in need all over the country. In case you’re wondering what that looks like, here’s a picture: We love books, and we love sending them out, and we love meeting the dedicated teachers and... Read more

Why do kids need books at home?

Posted in: Archive

Today’s guest blog post is from Sheila Frye (teachingliteracy). Sheila has been in education for over thirteen years serving as a Special Educator, Gifted and Talented Teacher, Reading Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Adjunct Professor of graduate education. A lifelong lover of reading, Sheila is currently a doctorate candidate studying the... Read more