First Book Blog - Education News & Stories

First Book and The Moth Launch National Storytelling Partnership for Children and Educators in Low-Income Communities

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports educational programming with $250,000 grant . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON (Feb. 12) – First Book , a national nonprofit that expands educational opportunities for children in under-resourced communities, and The Moth , a global leader in the art and craft of personal storytelli...

Exclusive Interview with Author Antwan Eady

Posted in: Author Voices

This blog features an interview with Antwan Eady , author of Nigel on the Moon . Drawing from his own dreams and aspirations, Antwan shares insight into his creative process and the path that led him to write for children. Antwan Eady’s debut picture book, Nigel and the Moon , illustrated by Gracey Zhang , was selected...

First Book Selected as a Beneficiary of The 2025 New York Times Communities Fund Holiday Giving Campaign

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Through this year’s campaign, The New York Times invites readers to support the power of education; beloved author Mary Pope Osborne kicks off donations to First Book with a $50,000 matching grant FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW YORK (Nov. 25) – For the sixth consecutive year, the national nonprofit First Book has been selec...

First Book and Penguin Random House Celebrate 42 Million Children’s Books Distributed Together Through 25-Year Partnership

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

Nov. 17 celebrations include a virtual reading with bestselling author Mary Pope Osborne, and panel discussion with educators on overcoming the decline in reading for pleasure FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 — Leading global trade publisher Penguin Random House and First Book, the national nonprofit that expa...

A Newly Discovered and Never-Before-Seen Manuscript by Dr. Seuss To Be Published by Random House Children’s Books

Posted in: Press Room

© Dr. Seuss Enterprises L.P. 2026. All Rights Reserved. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. , October 28, 2025 — An original manuscript and cover sketch by Ted Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, was discovered in the archives of UC San Diego’s Geisel Library, and will be published by Random House Children’s Books , it was annou...

First Book and Penguin Young Readers Feature Last Chance Live! Debut Author Helena Haywoode Henry for Lively Discussions with Educators and Students

Posted in: Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. , October 16, 2025 — First Book, the national nonprofit that furthers educational opportunities for children in low-income communities, and Penguin Young Readers are giving educators and students the opportunity to engage with author Helena Haywoode Henry about her groundbreaking...

Let America Read: Penguin Random House Launches Third Banned Wagon Tour

Posted in: Press Room

The Banned Wagon tour returns for Banned Books Week (October 5-11) to protect the freedom to read, think, and learn . New York, NY (September 9, 2025) — The Banned Wagon hits the road this Banned Books Week, beginning October 5, for its third annual tour to celebrate the freedom to read and express ideas, highlight the...

Community Spotlight: Building Support Beyond the Classroom

Posted in: First Book Communit Highlight, Impact Stories

A small, Title I elementary school located in Columbia, Maryland, stands as an environment where every child feels supported, seen, and excited to learn. As one of the smallest schools in Howard County, almost all 300 of its students live within walking distance. At the heart of this community is Assistant Principal Dr...

First Book and One Word at a Time to Host Kwame Alexander’s National Literacy Pep Rally on September 16

Posted in: Press Room

Free Virtual Event for Children, Families, and Educators Celebrates National Literacy Month Washington, D.C. – Sept. 10, 2025 – The nonprofits First Book and One Word at a Time are joining forces to host a high-energy, nationwide virtual Literacy Pep Rally on Tuesday, September 16 at 1:00 p.m. ET , led by New York Time...

KPMG U.S. Foundation President Anita Whitehead Appointed to First Book Board of Directors

Posted in: Press Room

Washington, D.C. – Sept. 9, 2025 – First Book, the national nonprofit dedicated to furthering educational opportunity for children in low-income communities, has appointed Anita Whitehead , the president and chair of the KPMG U.S. Foundation (KPMG), to its Board of Directors. Anita’s career at KPMG spans more than 20 y...