First Book Blog

The Stories for All Project: 60,000 New Books to Increase Diversity, Promote Inclusivity

Posted in: Impact Stories

Today’s blog post is part of our Stories For All Project series, focused on sharing the latest announcements and impact stories about our effort to put diverse, inclusive books into the hands of kids. When children see their lives reflected in the books they read they become more enthusiastic readers.... Read more

First Book Joins White House to Bring Thousands of e-Books to Kids in Need

Posted in: Impact Stories

We know that access to books – in all forms – is critical for children to develop into readers. Now, through a new White House-led initiative, First Book is helping connect children in need across the country with access to thousands of e-books. The initiative, announced today by President Obama,... Read more

Our Five Favorite Books for April

Posted in: Our Bookshelf

Our five favorite books for April will help kids celebrate each other’s unique differences, process with the emotions of moving, learn about the culture of Haiti — even teach them a few magic tricks! For Pre-K – K (Ages 3-6): “Bad Bye, Good Bye”by Deborah Underwood In very few words,... Read more

Parents Value Printed Books

Posted in: Archive

A recent study by the Pew Research Center shows that 9 out of 10 parents of children under 18 say it’s important to them that their children read printed books. The parents in the study value the sensory experience books give to children — the turning of the pages, the... Read more

Books to Forge Friendships

Posted in: Impact Stories

There’s very little for kids to do in the town of Bluefield, West Virginia. But once a week, eighteen students from different walks of life gather to talk about books. Suzette Sims, the program services coordinator at the Craft Memorial Library, organized the book club a few years ago. It... Read more

Celebrate National Poetry Month!

Posted in: Our Bookshelf

It’s April! At First Book that means it’s not just springtime, it’s the month that we celebrate all things rhythm, verse and rhyme: National Poetry Month. Here are five of our favorite collections to make poetry fun for kids of varying ages. Button Up! Wrinkled Rhymes Written by Alice Schertle,... Read more

Sparking Students' Interest In Math

Posted in: For Educators

When it’s time for a math lesson, Sarah Richardson’s kindergarten class sits in a group, with one hand on their heads, counting on the other hand in front of them.  They’re learning addition using a method called “counting on”. This can be a very tricky skill for some of Sarah’s... Read more

One More Page

Posted in: Archive

Dr. Shirley Johnson, in her words, is an educator to the depths of her soul. Over the last 40 years, she has been a teacher, administrator, union leader, curriculum supervisor and an education advocate.  Most recently, she opened The Resource Room, an afterschool education program for children ages five to... Read more

INFOGRAPHIC: Books Make a Difference in Kids' Lives (Now Available in Spanish)

Posted in: Archive

Our popular infographic “Books Make a Difference in Kids’ Lives” is now available in Spanish. The infographic illustrates how the presence of books in a low-income community versus an upper-middle income community impacts a child’s life. Ahora encuentras nuestra infografía popular “Los libros hacen una diferencia en la vida de... Read more

Kwame Alexander Q&A: Poetry Provides Possibilities

Posted in: Author Voices

We recently had the opportunity to talk with author Kwame Alexander about how poetry can draw a reluctant reader into a lifelong love of books and the creative process behind his book, “The Crossover,” awarded the 2015 Newbery Medal for Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children. The first thing we noticed... Read more