First Book Blog

One Campaign. A Lasting Culture of Reading.

Posted in: Impact Stories

Six years ago, Sue Resnick and Liz Frankel started the Cottage Kids Read program at the Pleasantville Cottage School. While volunteering at the school they noticed something that struck them. There weren’t any books to read for pleasure in the cottages where the students lived. Located in Pleasantville, NY, the... Read more

Take Your Imagination On Vacation

Posted in: For Educators

  Children don’t need planes, trains and automobiles to be transported to different countries, different worlds or even different points of view. All it takes is an engaged imagination and the right resources and they can explore the far-off corners of their active and growing minds. First Book offers books... Read more

Cathy Was My Best Friend. Here’s How I Honored Her.

Posted in: Impact Stories

Judy Willner is an educator and writing skills teacher for elementary school students in Philadelphia. When she lost her closest friend Cathy earlier this year, Judy decided the best way to honor her would be to set up a First Book campaign. She wanted to celebrate their shared love of... Read more

How to Campaign Like a #FirstBookChampion

Posted in: For Educators

Being a First Book Champion is all about spreading the joy of reading to kids in need. Starting a campaign is the first step to becoming a champion. The next step is brainstorming – thinking of all the clever ways you can get donors invested in your cause. Lucky for... Read more

One Fan’s Campaign to Honor Her Favorite Book-Loving Celebrity

Posted in: Impact Stories

There is one woman who inspires Tesa Brand, a community volunteer and aspiring publicist from Fort Wayne, Indiana: Kerry Washington. Washington, the star of ABC’s Scandal, is an education advocate and avid reader. For her birthday last January, Washington started a campaign to provide books for kids in need by raising... Read more

Monthly Book List: Our Five Favorite Books this July

Posted in: For Educators

Our favorite books this July include the final Elephant and Piggie book. a book to inspire community engagement and creativity, the story of one of your kids’ favorite summertime toys, a captivating novel for animal lovers and a smart and suspenseful novel for mature readers. Read on to see all... Read more

Win Games and Activities to Make Learning Fun All Summer Long!

Posted in: For Educators

Looking for creative ways to make learning fun in your summer program? Want to ward off summer boredom? Need activities to keep parents engaged in their child’s learning while school is out? Simply answer the question “How would you use these activities to encourage summer learning?” by commenting on this... Read more

Four Easy Steps to Become a Champion for Kids in Need

Posted in: For Educators

You’ve got a great fundraising idea. You have a goal. You’re excited to provide books and resources for kids in need. Now what? First Book Campaigns makes starting an individual or group campaign easier than ever. Follow these four steps and become a champion for children in need today! Create... Read more

This Girl Wrote One Email to Help Kids in Need

Posted in: Impact Stories

For thirteen year old Elka Longstreth, books have always been within arm’s reach, ready to transport her to another world. In fact, books are her world. Elka has books piling up on her desk and spilling out of the many bookshelves in her home. She’s always been a voracious reader.... Read more

You Have The Power to Change a Child’s Life

Posted in: For Educators, Impact Stories

You have the power to change a child’s life by doing what you love. By hosting First Book campaigns, hundreds of people have provided books and resources to children in need. They’ve asked friend and family to make donations to their campaign instead of purchasing  birthday gifts. Others have thrown... Read more