First Book Blog

One Story to Engage ELL Families: The Wednesday Surprise

Posted in: Impact Stories

Last week, we featured Roxana Barillas, Director of Hispanic Engagement at First Book. She shared her thoughts on the ways educators can connect with ELL families. This week, Roxana shares one book from  Build Strong Families With Stories that can help in engaging ELL families in their child’s learning. One... Read more

Ways Educators Can Connect With ELL Families

Posted in: For Educators, Impact Stories

Today’s guest blogger is Roxana Barillas, Director of Hispanic Engagement at First Book. When I came to the U.S. from El Salvador at age 12, I had no knowledge of English and jumped right into a new school. My mom worked multiple jobs to support my four siblings and me,... Read more

Open eBooks Opens World of Digital Reading to Children

Posted in: Press Releases

Major publishers contribute thousands of titles to benefit students in need February 24, 2016 – Open eBooks, a new initiative and e-reader app that will make thousands of popular, top-selling eBooks available to children in need for free, is launching today. First Lady Michelle Obama is releasing a video today... Read more

World Read Aloud Day Book List: Our Five Favorite Books for February

Posted in: Our Bookshelf

February 24 is World Read Aloud Day. To celebrate, we’ve selected our five favorite books to read aloud with kids – tomorrow and all year long. You’ll find silly books with vivid illustrations, beautiful poems in English and Spanish and a nonfiction book about animals. To share with older readers,... Read more

Home Libraries Make A Huge Difference

Posted in: Impact Stories

Home libraries make a huge difference in kid’s lives. A 20-year study found that, regardless of nationality, parents’ education level or economic status, the presence of books in the home is one of greatest indicators of a child’s academic success. Researchers found that having as few as 20 books in... Read more

How To Make Reading Fun and Create Lifelong Readers

Posted in: Impact Stories

Brian Smith is on a mission: make reading fun and create lifelong readers. An educator at Newton Conover City Schools in North Carolina, Brian called upon Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author to bring books to life. Brian stocked each fourth grade classroom in his district with several copies of all ten... Read more

Tablets Help Struggling Readers Gain Confidence

Posted in: Impact Stories

Earlier this school year Sharlene Scott, an Alternative Language Arts teacher in Gardena, California, brought two brand-new tablets into class for her students to explore. She was able to purchase them on the First Book Marketplace thanks to a partnership with Blackboard, Inc. Sharlene loaded the tablets with several apps... Read more

How One Librarian Uses Food to Keep Kids Learning

Posted in: Impact Stories

“I always tell our kids that they are like cars, motorcycles or trucks,”says Theresa Mai, the librarian at Truscott Elementary in Loveland, Colorado. “We talk about their parents getting fuel for their car – how it can’t run without the right fuel. Their bodies are the same way. Food is... Read more

Monthly Book List: Our Five Favorite Books for January

Posted in: Our Bookshelf

Our favorite books this month celebrate the differences that make us great, inspire us to believe and dream, reinforce the power of friendship (real or imaginary!), and take us on an epic journey with two supervillains. Which of our five favorites will you read this month? For Pre-K – K... Read more

Is Your Family Up for the Challenge?

Posted in: Archive

Parents and caretakers play a critical role in kids becoming readers. By enjoying stories together, parents can help children learn to love reading right in their own homes! First Book is always eager to share opportunities that encourage families to read together. And through February 19, 2016, we’ve teamed up... Read more