First Book Blog - Education News & Stories

When Holidays Aren't Happy for Everyone

Posted in: For Educators, Our Partners

This post is written by guest blogger, Maria Collins, vice president of the New York Life Foundation For many, the holiday season can be a wonderful time of year filled with celebrations and family gatherings, time spent reminiscing about all the joy-filled moments that took place over the past year and all the wonderf...

I'm Teary Eyed Thinking About It... Stories of the Power of Giving

Posted in: Impact Stories

This post is written by guest blogger, Joyce Victor, First Book Member, Owens Primary School, CA I feel teary eyed thinking about giving new books from First Book to my kids, and I know you feel the same way. Whenever I give new books to the kindergarten students at Owens Primary, they can't believe it. They’re opening...

How to Give Books to Kids in Need this Holiday

Posted in: Focus on First Book

If you're like us here at First Book, you feel there is no better holiday present for a child than a book. As the holiday season approaches, we want you to know about the many ways you can fill a bookshelf or provide a classroom with much-needed learning resources. Here's a few ways you can support our mission to provi...

First Book Calls on Its Community of Educators to Promote Respect and Empathy

Posted in: Focus on First Book, For Educators

A lack of respect and empathy increases the possibility for disputes to occur, challenging a child’s ability to step into the shoes of another person and experience the world through that perspective. At First Book, we recognize educators require support to eliminate educational barriers like these that prevent kids fr...

Creative Ways to Use Plush Toys in the Classroom

Posted in: Our Bookshelf

Plush Toys are much more than cute classroom decorations. They can be powerful tools for creating spaces where kids are excited and motivated to read and learn! The First Book Marketplace is home to a large selection of educational resources available at affordable prices to the members of our Network. We strive to add...

I Do, We Do, You Do: Hands-on Math Resources for You and Your Students

Posted in: Focus on First Book

If you're an educator, “I Do, We Do, You Do” may already be a strategy implemented in your classroom. For those who might not be as familiar, this is the basic concept of this teaching strategy: “I Do”: Educator explains the concept and demonstrates the skill. “We Do”: Educator and the class practice together. “You Do”...

Six Reasons to Join First Book's Book Club

Posted in: Focus on First Book

This post is written by guest blogger, Christa Evans, VP of Development at First Book. “Between the pages of a book is a wonderful place to be.” - Anonymous We admit it – here at First Book, we’re book fanatics! We also believe every child deserves a quality education, filled with the tools and resources they need to l...

First Book Inspires a Love for STEM with Ford Motor Company Fund and 4-H Clubs

Posted in: Our Partners

We at First Book have aimed to provide the educators and students we serve with the tools and resources they need to teach and learn STEM concepts. Earlier this month, we launched STEMtober – a month-long celebration of all things science, technology, engineering, and math – to better highlight new helpful resources to...

What Educators Want to Ask Presidential Candidates

Posted in: Focus on First Book

As the presidential debates begin to heat up, we asked educators what they would ask the presidential candidates. Here’s what’s on their minds: Their kids are coming to school hungry. "How will you help end, this year, food scarcity…specifically, food for kids during the summer when they cannot access free meals at the...

The 2019 Estela & Raúl Mora Award Winner and Honorees

Posted in: Focus on First Book

In honor of her parents, The Estela and Raúl Mora Award was established in 2000 by renowned author and poet Pat Mora. The award honors libraries and programs that celebrate Children’s Day, Book Day, El día de los niños, El día de los libros (also known as Día ) , a family literacy initiative that focuses on the promoti...