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You are currently browsing the First Book Blog weblog archives for May, 2006.
Archive for May 2006
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Wizard of Oz
May 31st, 2006
Rachael V.
8 Comments »Last time I was at my parents’ home I went through the bookshelf in my pink childhood bedroom (I will never again admit I had a bright pink room as a child). Sitting there was a dusty copy of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I remember curling up in my parents’ bed with my brother when I was younger and listening to my mom read the story to us every night — it was a perfect bedtime ritual.
When my colleagues put up the newest titles on the First Book Marketplace this afternoon I saw the Wonderful Wizard of Oz was joining some of my other childhood favorites like Amelia Bedelia and Charlotte’s Web as options for programs to purchase. The First Book Marketplace is an online store where programs that serve children from low-income families can purchase books at incredibly reduced prices — we are trying to build a vast collection of titles no child should be without. Any recommendations from your childhood you think we should include?
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Towel Day
May 25th, 2006
Dave M.
Leave a Comment »I am way late in posting this, but today is Towel Day! Towel Day is a tribute/wake to the late, great Douglas Adams, author of The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. We are to carry a towel around with us throughout the day in memory of him and his work.
For those not in the know, the Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (often abbreviated HHGTTG) is a brilliantly witty 5 book trilogy, (odd, isn’t it?) It actually originated as a radio series on BBC. It is a comedy that follows the adventures of the human Arthur Dent and his fellow travelers as they make their way around, you guessed it, the galaxy.
Why a towel you ask? Let us refer to the Hitch Hiker’s Guide itself for direction…
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Good Reads for a Long Weekend?
May 24th, 2006
Katie B.
14 Comments »After a long and busy week, I am really looking forward to taking some time off this Memorial Day weekend. On Friday I’m leaving to visit some extended family in Maine and I’m really excited about getting a chance to get out of Washington, DC. I’ve already started my list of things to pack and have a whole section for books I want to take with me to read on the trip. After attending BookExpo America at the Washington Convention Center last weekend, I now have some new books on my list to read - including Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson’s new book, Peter and the Shadow Thieves (to be released in July), in addition to my well-loved anthology of Sherlock Holmes stories.
There are so many good books out there — it leads me to wonder, what books are you reading right now? What titles or authors would you recommend to others? Leave a comment and let us know. No matter what you choose, have a wonderful long weekend and happy reading!
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Time Lapse Video & Inteview Round-Up
May 22nd, 2006
Dave M.
2 Comments »If you haven’t read already, we had an amazing presence at BEA this year. I want to thank everyone, everyone, who helps make First Book such a success at what we do.
I setup a small web cam at our booth this year to try to capture some of the activity that goes into making BEA work. The software I used bogged down after awhile — it starts with one picture every 5 seconds (2.5 minutes per second of video) and slows down to 1 picture every minute or two (causing the video to speed up a bit.) Also, the camera fell over once or twice, so you may notice that it shifts or jumps once or twice.
And in case you missed them, here are some more videos of interviews with chilrdens’ authors that we conducted all weekend long:
Joshua Prince - “I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track”
Kirsten Miller - “Kiki Striker”
Dave McPhail - “When Sheep Sleep”
Michael Buckely - “The Sisters Grimm”
James Patterson - “Maximum Ride”
E.D. Baker - “The Frog Princess”
Walter Dean Myers - “The Harlem Hellfighters”
William Boniface - “The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy”
Erica Perl - “Chicken Bedtime is Really Early” -
The Last Day of BookExpo America
May 22nd, 2006
Lynda L.
4 Comments »Even though it was Sunday, the final day of BEA, you could still feel the passion and excitement in the air. It’s a book thing!
Wendy and Tabitha opened the Sunday Book and Author Breakfast by announcing the “Literacy and Justice for All” winning state — Louisiana. They were joined on stage by First Book children (and upcoming stars), Dabney J and Camille H, who opened the winning envelope. Wendy shared the Green Room with Anderson Cooper and other guests for the breakfast and a couple of us were jealous.
Meetings and signings continued throughout the day and lots of exhibitors stopped by to let us know they were contributing leftover books from their booths to First Book. I was told that we would be receiving approximate 1400 “new titles” that have been on display during the exhibition.
At about 2:30 the exodus had begun. It always amazes me how swiftly booth demolition can be done when it takes so long to set it all up. Have no fear, people were still at our table outside of the exhibit hall talking about working with First Book, courtesy of Pat.
The First Book presence has been notable throughout BEA and it is so exciting and different from my four previous experiences. Everything was well-planned and precisely executed. Kudos to Team BEA — everyone who helped at BEA as well as those of you behind the scenes at the office.
A job well done Team!
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Photos from BookExpo America
May 21st, 2006
Clarissa P.
1 Comment »
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Interview with Author Erica Perl
May 21st, 2006
Rachael V.
5 Comments »Author Erica Perl stopped by the First Book booth to sign copies of her books, Ninety-Three in My Family (out soon) and Chicken Bedtime Is Really Early. She gave a great interview afterwards - while she was wearing a chicken hat!
Be sure to check out the beginning where she reads from her book, Chicken Bedtime Is Really Early…
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Literacy & Justice for All Winner is Louisiana!
May 21st, 2006
Rachael V.
6 Comments »Our staff cheered as we finished the final vote tallies late last night! First Book could not be more excited that all y’all who voted chose to support our Book Relief initiative by choosing Louisiana as the state where we will hold the next 50,000 book distribution!
The 50,000 books will be sent to a donated warehouse in Louisiana and then organizations from across the state will be able to apply for books online — enabling them to choose the best titles for their programs. Our staff will meet volunteers at the warehouse and then sort through all of the books, getting them ready for our recipient groups.
First Book is serving schools, nonprofit organizations, school libraries, community government organizations, and other local programs to help rebuild libraries that were destroyed along the Coast. Thanks to everyone who voted — and especially to BookExpo America for supporting our efforts! You have truly helped us bring Literacy and Justice to all!!
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Gordon from Sesame Street
May 21st, 2006
Clarissa P.
2 Comments »First book staff members got to meet Roscoe Orman (Gordon on Sesame Street) when he came by our booth to vote on Saturday.
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Interview with William Boniface
May 20th, 2006
Rachael V.
5 Comments »Superopolis is the home of the character Ordinary Boy, but today the man who captured his story - William Boniface - joined First Book to talk with us for a while. Mr. Boniface gave both directions to Superopolis and his insights on his book The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy amidst a conversation about his own aspirations for reading, his inspirations, and his work.
Check out the interview below…