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  1. First Book Celebrates Children’s Book Week with Leonard Marcus!

    May 12th, 2008
    Jen W.
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    I recently had the immense pleasure of chatting with historian and author Leonard Marcus about his newly published title, Minders of Make-Believe: Idealists, Entrepreneurs, and the Shaping of American Children’s Literature (Houghton Mifflin Co.) Over fourteen years in the making, Minders of Make-Believe tells the fascinating story of the development of children’s literature in America from its earliest beginnings to the advent of Harry Potter and beyond.

    Do you know the full history of how Children’s Book Week came to be? Or who Leonard would put his money on in a battle of wills between New York Public Library’s trailblazing librarian Anne Carroll Moore and Harper’s Editor Beyond Compare, Ursula Nordstrom? (True confession: they both scare me a little.) Listen to the inside story of the events and characters that shaped the classics using the link below!

    And, if you plan to be in the Washington DC area on June 19th, don’t miss Leonard’s upcoming talk and book signing at Politics and Prose!

    Happy Children’s Book Week!

    P.S. Have a favorite author or other publishing figure you’d like to see featured in a First Book podcast? Feel free to email us with your suggestions!

     
    icon for podpress  First Book Podcast with Leonard Marcus - Minders of Make-Believe [34:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (9)

  2. May Blog Contest

    May 9th, 2008
    Katie B.
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    Do you ever have those “lightbulb” moments when you come up with a great new idea? Or do catchy, creative sayings just seems to roll off your tongue? Or both? If so, then we need your help in brainstorming a new name for the First Book Blog!

    We are looking for a fresh, new name for our blog that represents what First Book is all about – working hard and having fun to provide more books to the kids who need them most.

    Here’s how it works:
    Everyone who submits a suggestion for our new name will be entered into a random drawing to win this month’s prize. If we choose your suggestion for our new blog name, you will also win a prize! This month’s winner(s) will receive their choice of a First Book t-shirt or an autographed copy of Joshua Prince’s book I Saw An Ant on the Railroad Track.

    The rules are as follows:
    - You must email your suggestion for our new name to blog@firstbook.org.
    - The winner will be selected at random from among all the the suggestions submitted and will be given your choice of prize and featured on the Blog. By submitting your answer, you give First Book permission to contact you via email and highlight your name on our Web site, if you are selected as the winner.
    - Deadline for entries is: Monday, May 19th at 12:00 midnight ET.
    - The winner will be announced no later than Friday, May 23rd.

    Let the brainstorming begin!

  3. 108,000 Books: All in a Day’s Work

    May 9th, 2008
    Nicole T.
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    Monday morning 2 of my colleagues and I left the office bright and early at 6:30am. We were off to a warehouse operated by Hub One Logistics in Chambersburg, PA for a First Book National Book Bank distribution. Our task was to distribute 108,000 books, generously donated by our publishing partner HarperCollins, to programs serving children in need across the country. On our arrival, the warehouse quickly staged our books into a nice open space and we were off to work pulling orders for pick-up and labeling boxes for shipment.

    Amazing volunteers including our good friend Floyd (aka SuperReader) and new friends from F&M Trust, Citigroup, and the Air National Guard joined in the fun. One volunteer found her way to First Book via Craigslist and Ellin from First Book-Huntingdon County stayed to help for a couple hours after picking up books for her Advisory Board.

    After a short pizza lunch break, the remaining groups arrived to pick up their books and the last truck was loaded. We cleaned up our mess of shrink wrap, labels and broken pallet pieces and before we knew it, we were back on the road to DC. We arrived at the office at about 6pm tired and dirty but pleased with what we had accomplished…just another day at First Book. View more photos from the day.

  4. Mother’s Day is less than four days away.

    May 7th, 2008
    Diane N.
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    Yes, you read that right.

    Consider this your friendly First Book reminder that Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 11 — just four days away!

    GiftBack.com liliesIf you haven’t already, now is a great time to buy flowers Mom will love while also helping to fund new books for children in need.  At GiftBack.com you’ll find beautiful bouquets (like the beautiful pink lilies pictured at left) as well as thoughtful gift  baskets and more.

    Be sure to choose First Book in the drop-down menu as your charity of your choice to ensure that 10% of your purchase supports the gift of new books to the children who need them most.

    Happy Mother’s Day!

  5. A Lunch Break, a Book, and One of my Role Models

    May 6th, 2008
    Erin T.
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    When I first moved to DC, I was astonished at the opportunities that the public has to hear amazing speakers, attend interesting lectures, and experience film, art, and culture- all for free.  During my first months of exploring DC, I always assumed that “free and open to the public” was somehow a ploy, and I was sure that I would be figured out as an imposter and asked to leave.  I felt that way a bit again today when I took an extended lunch break to hear former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright speak about her new book Memo to the President Elect at the Library of Congress.  Through their Center for the Book, the Library brings in well-respected Americans and authors to promote interest in books and reading, and have invited the public to participate.   

    Growing up with a love of foreign cultures and history, Secretary Albright has long been one of my role models.  Today, as I sat in the Jefferson Library, I was awed to listen to her gracious discussion about the strengths and the challenges of our nation, and the obstacles that face the next president.  I was delighted to see a mixture of the public attend, from tourists to students, to people like me on their lunch break.  It was an amazing opportunity to celebrate the book and the story. 

    Learn more about Library of Congress events, or watch cybercasts of past events, at www.loc.gov. 

  6. Thank you, Texas!

    May 5th, 2008
    Elena B.
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    Lyle Lovett immortalized the Texas spirit with a wonderful ditty whose lyrics include, ” That’s right you’re not from Texas, But Texas wants you anyway”. He’s not kidding! Stepping into the Lone Star State, you can feel the hospitality and open arms of Texans all along your route. Last week, two wonderful colleagues and I embarked on a Texas-size itinerary in a D.C.-size timeframe. We had just three days to visit three cities, run back-to-back “Meet and Greets”, and- because we go big or we go home- host an event with First Lady Laura Bush and First Daughter Jenna Bush.

    We owe many thanks to the people of Texas but want to take a moment to highlight some of the week’s superstars:

    First Lady Laura Bush and Jenna Bush: As educators, these women turned their experiences into a delightful book, Read All About It! Students from Kate Bell Elementary (and staff, too) sat rapt as they read about class clown Tyrone and his realization that reading is actually pretty fun. Both women were in their element as they took questions and talked about the importance of reading. Afterwards, each child got to meet the First Lady and Jenna as they received their own copy of the book! This was truly a special event and left the students with wonderful memories to cherish.

    HarperCollins Children’s Books: We are delighted that our long time publishing partner, HarperCollins, has made an incredibly generous donation of $1 million of books to First Book for distribution to programs across the country! Their continued support ensures that we bring the joy of reading to children every day.

    Kate Bell Elementary Staff and Students: Principal Paula Viebrock, Vice Principal Linda Broome, and Librarian Susan Carnes are just some of the staff who helped make the event with First Lady Laura Bush and Jenna Bush a success. From the enthusiasm of the students to the dedication of the teachers, it’s clear that something very special happens every day at Kate Bell!

    Read the rest of this entry »

  7. Syracuse or Bust

    May 2nd, 2008
    Rachael V.
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    “Have you been half asleep?
    And have you heard voices?
    I’ve heard them calling my name.
    Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
    The voice might be one and the same
    I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it
    It’s something that I’m s’posed to be…
    Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection,
    The lovers, the dreamers, and me.”
    - Kermit the Frog

    Although I’m not quite as eloquent as my small green hero quoted above, I wanted to take a minute today to tell you that I, too, have heard a voice calling my name. I am concluding my tenure of nearly four years at First Book to pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Administration in Syracuse, New York.

    There is something about seeing unbridled inspiration on a daily basis - in First Book Recipient Groups, volunteers, corporate heroes and education advocates - that has inspired me to choose to pursue a graduate degree in a field where I can continue my passion for changing the world.

    From Los Angeles, Minneapolis and New York, to Keene, Bernice and Norwalk - and, quite literally, everywhere in between - I have had the pleasure and joy of working at book distributions, celebrating preschool graduations, speaking at conferences, visiting food banks, enjoying meals with volunteers, attending First Book Advisory Board meetings, giving books to kids and truly enjoying the inspiration of compassionate heroes at every juncture!

    So to all of you I say, thank you. Until soon!

  8. What does 250,000 books look like?

    May 2nd, 2008
    Catherine S.
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    Do you know what 250,000 books look like? Last week was my first National Book Bank distribution with First Book in Jessup, Maryland. The mission: to coordinate and distribute a quarter of million books to more than 200 recipient groups located across the country over the course of 4 days.

    It was definitely a challenging task, especially given the sheer number of book titles, recipient groups, shipping addresses and logistics. However, with the help of our excellent team of volunteers from ING and the US Department of Education we completed our mission ahead of schedule!

    Thanks to the extraordinary work of these volunteer teams, the books were sorted, shipped and loaded into the recipient group vans, cars, pick-up trucks from near and far – one group even drove a minivan all the way from New Jersey to pick up books!

    Thank you to each and every volunteer for your hard work at the distribution in Maryland as well as across the country! We couldn’t do our work without you!

    By the way, 250,000 books would cover the surface area of almost two whole football fields!

  9. First Book and eBay Harness the Power of MANY!

    May 1st, 2008
    Diane N.
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    We are thrilled to announce that First Book is joining forces with eBay Foundation for Community Gives - the first online giving campaign designed to engage the eBay Community in supporting First Book’s work.

    First Book is one of only three organizations eBay Foundation has chosen to support as part of the campaign, which was launched Monday with a $1 million grant split evenly among the three. Visitors to the site are encouraged to buy, sell or donate on behalf of First Book.

    You can help! Do you have something you were ready to put in the garage sale pile? Sell it on eBay on behalf of First Book — you set the portion to benefit the charity. Or make a donation for as little as $1; for every person who gives to First Book, eBay will give an additional dollar. (Be sure to select First Book.)

    Visit the site to read some great stories from local programs transformed by First Book — and help us spread the word today!

  10. A post from Ken, the Intern

    April 30th, 2008
    Ken G.
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    It was a week before I was set to leave for DC that I finally learned of my internship placement at First Book. I had never heard of First Book before but maintained the belief that everything would work out…it did.

    Placed in the communication department to coincide with my major, I was pleasantly surprised when I was given several substantive projects and assignments to work on instead of tedious busy work. There have been several occasions where I have applied lessons and skills from college to the project I was working on. Working closely with other First Book staff members, I spend my days putting together spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, doing online research, sending out dozens of e-mails and attending book distribution events.

    Yesterday marked the half way point of my time here in DC and I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by! It should really be no surprise though, considering how much fun I am having. It really helps that First Book is composed of the friendliest staff in DC, which makes coming to work a pleasure. Everyone here is dedicated to getting books to kids and it is truly an amazing feeling knowing you are apart of this wonderful cause.

    I cannot recommend First Book enough. They have helped me develop so many skills and gain tons of insights and experiences that I will be able to apply in my future career. This is the perfect place for anyone interested in public policy or just looking for a rewarding experience and I cannot thank the First Book staff enough for making me feel apart of the family.

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