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You are currently browsing the First Book Blog weblog archives for August, 2006.
Archive for August 2006
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Books in Brooklyn
August 31st, 2006
Elizabeth M.
Leave a Comment »The Brown Memorial Baptist Church received books from the First Book National Book Bank to give to needy children in Brooklyn, New York for a community outreach event. Yolonda, a member of the Brown Memorial Street Outreach Committee, shares her thanks and these comments with First Book.
When I was a child of four, “See Spot Run” just didn’t do it for me. One day my mother gave me “Green Eggs and Ham” and my life was forever changed. To this day, I am an avid reader. I was raised in the toughest areas of Brooklyn and I know for sure that books saved my life.
I wish you could see the look on the faces of the children that receive a free book. They handle them with such wonder and care. The books are beautiful. The children of Bed-Stuy will enjoy these books.
Yolonda R.
Brown Memorial Baptist Church
Brooklyn, New York -
The Joy of Reading
August 30th, 2006
Dave M.
1 Comment »Reading CNN.com the other day, I came upon this little gem: The Joy of Reading. It’s just a few bullet points on the value of reading with chilren and some ideas on what they’ll get from it.
While books are great for all ages, my favorite, in their “Babies and toddlers” section, has to be this:
What they love about books: […] Cardboard’s good for chewing — not too hard, not too soft.
And of course, as per the First Book mantra, let us not forget:
Embrace abundance. Keep plenty of chapter books, storybooks, and picture books around on lots of topics.
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One Year Later: Sharing Stories From the Storm
August 29th, 2006
Chandler A.
2 Comments »On Friday I traveled to Mississippi to join Dr. Henry Johnson, Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of Education, to announce that First Book will be joining forces with the U.S. Department of Education to distribute more than 200,000 new books donated by Random House Children’s Books to children affected by the hurricanes of 2005.
Living in Washington DC, I often hear the stories about the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina — but I also hear all kinds of stories about the resiliency and determination of the people whose lives were affected by it.
It’s one thing to hear stories, it’s quite another to meet the people who lived them.
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An Author’s Muse
August 28th, 2006
Erin T.
3 Comments »The Economist this week had an interesting article about Minneapolis, MN, and the large amount of crime novels and literary gore that is inspired by and written in the Twin Cities. The article attributed this inspiration to the long winters, erratic seasons, and the high rate of unresolved gang violence. It got me thinking about literature in general, and how different cities and communities play the part of a muse for authors.
At the beginning of the last century, Sherwood Anderson used a small town near where I grew up to bring the world Winesburg, Ohio. According to local legend, the villagers that he wrote about weren’t very happy about his work, since it often showed them in negative light or indulged secrets of their personal lives.
Washington, DC, has many great political, action and thriller novels taking place within the beltway. The fast-pace of political maneuvering and the prevalence of famous, historic, and monumental locations makes it a perfect venue.
What great books take place in your area, are based from events in your community, or just make you think of home? What type of muse is your city for literature?
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Get Ready — National Benefit Days Are Almost Here!
August 25th, 2006
Theresa H.
Leave a Comment »Don’t forget to use your 10% off coupon this weekend at Borders and Waldenbooks! Just $25 spent on back-to-school shopping, a couple of great beach reads, or the latest CD or DVD release will help get one economically-disadvantaged child his or her very own, and perhaps very first, new book.
As you may know already, Borders will donate an additional 10% of the proceeds from your purchases with this coupon to First Book, to provide new books for children nationwide. You will benefit not only from the 10% taken off your purchase, but from the knowledge that you personally are giving children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books.
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Do We Need to Send Books to the Zoo Too?
August 24th, 2006
Katie B.
1 Comment »I recently took a trip with some other First Bookers to the National Zoo in Washington, DC, and visited the small mammal house, where one of our colleagues volunteers. When we were looking at the golden lion tamarins, one of the zoo keepers told us that he often brings pop-up books with him to “read” to the animals. The tamarins are so curious and have such a keen sense of space, that they often come right up to the glass to view the colorful pages and three-dimensional images in the books. It turns out even golden lion tamarins enjoy a good book!
Bonnie, Katie, and Andrea take a break from their work day at First Book to visit the National Zoo.
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10 Reasons to Save 10% This Weekend
August 23rd, 2006
Katie B.
Leave a Comment »First Book’s Top 10 reasons you should go to Borders on August 26 and 27 to use your 10% off coupon.
10. To pick up a few final summer reads or plan your last summer getaway.
“I want to pick a few quality paperback books.” –Stephanie R.
“I’m looking for some good travel books on Paris and France.” –Nicole T.9. To make the back-to-school transition a little easier.
“With college on our minds, I have asked my daughter to download her book list and see what we may be able to buy at Borders. She is taking a lot of literature and current event classes so is likely to be using individual books rather than text books.” –Kit L.8. To get ahead of the assigned reading.
“I’m going to pick up the complete works of Shakespeare, for my Shakespeare class this fall!” –Erika D.
“Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss is on my list.” –Katie B.7. To beat the holiday shopping rush.
“I’m going to buy holiday gifts. Why not get them done now?” –Jane R.6. To learn something new.
“I’ll be picking up Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan (the dog whisperer).” –Andrea
“ I’m going to buy a Russian-English dictionary.” -Erin5. To share a good read with a friend.
“I’m going to buy a copy of The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory for each of my book club compadres. I’ve just finished it and loved it!” –Melinda H.
“I’m looking forward to buying several books for birthday and baby shower gifts for friends.” –Elena B.4. To relax to some new tunes.
“I want to pick up Ani DiFranco’s new CD, Reprieve.” –Heather K.3. To get in touch with your inner geek.
“I’ll be getting the SQL Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition. It has a cool lizard on it (book is not about lizards). I might also have to pick up a book on Python (not about pythons), or Ruby on Rails (not about rubies or trains).” –Dave M.2. To rediscover an old favorite.
“Two books by my favorite author Sheri Reynolds are on my list: Firefly Cloak, her current title, and Bitterroot Landing, which I plan to special order in hardcover.” -Theresa H.
“I lost my copy of Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, so I’m going to buy another one to replace it.” –Gerard N.1. To help give back!
“I’d like to pick up The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make A Difference by Malcolm Gladwell and Good to Great and the Social Sectors: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great by Jim Collins” –Rachael V.Don’t forget to use your 10% off coupon this coming weekend at any Borders or Waldenbooks store. Every purchase will allow First Book to provide brand new books to children in need all over the country.
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Get First Book Blog Posts by Email
August 22nd, 2006
Clarissa P.
Leave a Comment »Do you like reading the First Book Blog to hear about what we’re doing — but you don’t always remember to check the site every day for the latest posts?
Then perhaps you would like to get all of our blog posts by email, straight to your inbox. Sign up by clicking the Email Subscription link in the right column of the front page of the blog. Enter your email address, then follow the instructions to confirm your subscription.
You will get one email each morning containing all of the blog posts from the previous day (if there weren’t any posts the previous day, then you won’t get an email that day).
This is a great way to keep up with First Book activities!
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Books for My Childhood Hero
August 21st, 2006
Chandler A.
3 Comments »
Chandler dresses up as Tigger for Halloween at Miss Sherri’s preschool, 1980
The First Book National Book Bank is currently working with Random House Children’s Books to distribute more than 1.5 million new books donated by Random House to children across the country.
As I was helping the Book Bank team send out confirmation emails a few days ago, I noticed that one of the programs on my list happened to be in my small hometown in the mountains of North Carolina. As I looked closer I discovered that the program was a few blocks from my house. Furthermore, the contact was “Miss Sherri” a wonderful woman that ran the early childhood program I attended years and years ago.
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Help Us Spread the Word!
August 18th, 2006
Katie B.
Leave a Comment »Recently we announced First Book National Benefit Days at Borders and Waldenbooks stores nationwide on August 26 and 27. Now we’re asking you to help us spread the word about this great way to help support First Book AND get some savings for yourself while you’re at it!
If you have a blog or Web site, be sure to take a look at the Web tiles we’ve developed and place a link on your site.
No blog or site of your own? No problem! Print out the 10% off coupon or email the link - www.firstbook.org/borders - to your friends, family and colleagues.
Only 9 days until First Book National Benefit Days at Borders… let the countdown begin!
