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You are currently browsing the First Book Blog weblog archives for February, 2007.
Archive for February 2007
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Reading in Different Environments
February 28th, 2007
Nicole T.
Leave a Comment »Last November I attended the Student Coaliation for Action in Literacy Education (SCALE) Read.Write.Act National Conference. I sat in on a workshop given by some students who lead the Virginia Tech Community Literacy Corps. In addition to their tutoring program, every year they host a Reading Day community outreach event during Read Across America Week. They invite local elementary school students to the Virginia Tech campus for a day of stories and arts and crafts.
The students shared a Reading Day theme that I thought sounded like so much fun, “Reading in Different Environments”. They set up stations around the room for different environments including jungle, forest, ocean, desert, and arctic stations. Each station was playfully decorated in the theme and as the children cycled through the stations they read a book and made a fun craft pertaining to the environment. At the desert station they filled bottles with colored sand and at the forest station they planted seeds into little pots. It sounded like the Virginia Tech students had even more fun than the elementary school children.
I know many programs are planning fun reading events in celebration of the NEA’s Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’ birthday. We’d love to hear about your great ideas and the fun you’re having with reading!
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First Book and the Cat in USA Today
February 27th, 2007
Clarissa P.
Leave a Comment »Check out today’s USA Today for a great article about The Cat in the Hat’s Birthday that includes a mention of First Book.
As part of the Cat in the Hat’s birthday celebration, Random House Children’s Books will donate one new book to First Book for each e-birthday card that is sent to the Cat from Seussville.com. So click now and send a card, then tell all your friends to do the same! This is an easy way to give a new book to a child in need.
Find out more about Cat in the Hat birthday events and how you can help First Book by participating.
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Pi Beta Phi is Brewing up Books for Kids in Need!
February 26th, 2007
Katie B.
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Looking to jumpstart the day without a caffeine buzz? Pi Beta Phi has a great alternative to spending $5 on your morning cup of coffee — donate to give new books to kids in need instead! Together with First Book, Pi Beta Phi members, alumnae and friends have teamed up to help raise 50,000 new books for children in need across the country.In celebration of The Cat in the Hat’s 50th birthday, and in conjunction with the Fraternity’s 2007 Day of Service, Pi Beta Phi is hosting a Virtual Book Drive. Log on to Firstbook.org/pibetaphi this week (through March 2nd), to learn how you can help provide new books to children in need.
To make it even sweeter, everyone who donates will be eligible to win one of 100 Starbucks gift cards that Pi Phi will raffle off at the end of the initiative. Be sure to spread the word, this opportunity ends soon!
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Stop the Presses!
February 23rd, 2007
Erin T.
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In a humble square in Mainz, Germany, stands a statue of a 15th century man. Chances are you don’t think of this man often, but if you read a newspaper this morning you have a reason to thank him. Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized literacy in Europe, and later the entire world, when he invented a movable type printing press. This invention drastically decreased the cost and time of producing printed materials, and with a single invention it was now possible for the middle classes to have access to books.
According to several sources, February is the month of his birth and death. While this can be disputed, the need to recognize the contributions of Johannes Gutenberg is not. So the next time you pick up a book, pamphlet, or newspaper remember what may have happened today in history.
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Reading with First Book
February 22nd, 2007
Stephanie R.
Leave a Comment »This post is part of a weekly series of synopses of children’s books, written by First Book staff members.
Little Red Hen, by Diane Muldrow, illustrated by J.P. Miller. Little Red Hen asks for help from her animal neighbors to cultivate her wheat and make it into bread. But her neighbors don’t want to help and so, when the the hard work is done, they do not get to share the scrumptious product — delicious, hot bread! Moral: help those in need and you shall be rewarded greatly. Grades K-2.
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Advisory Board’s Spotlight of the Month: Linda Williamson
February 22nd, 2007
Erin T.
Leave a Comment »First Book is proud this month to salute the efforts of Linda Williamson, Chair of First Book-Dallas.
For seven years, Linda has lead the way and overseen the distribution of nearly 20,000 books to more than a dozen local programs. In addition to getting books out into the community, she does regular storytimes at some Recipient Group sites.
We are delighted to have someone in the Dallas area who can successfully move between traditional Advisory Board work and meeting with national and local corporate partners such as Idearc Media, SunTrust Mortgage, and Borders, to name a few. Linda is the epitome of grace and generosity and we are very lucky to count her among the First Book family.
Thank you Linda for all you do!
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Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
February 21st, 2007
Nicole T.
Leave a Comment »February 13th was proclaimed First Book Appreciation Day in the City of North Miami, Florida!! Anna W. and I were in town to accept the proclamation and meet with local dignitaries.
Among the actions being recognized was the donating of thousands of books from the First Book National Book Bank and other Partner Promotion books to the North Miami Public Library for distribution to children throughout the city. Also, First Book books were inserted into all of the backpacks that were distributed to local school children during the Fall of 2006 Mayor’s Backpack Distribution program.
First Book couldn’t be successful without the help of Literacy Hero’s like Joyce Perincone, Library Director of the North Miami Public Library. In addition to distributing books to children in need in the North Miami area, Joyce works tirelessy to ensure the children of North Miami have fun educational experiences.
While First Book has a Campus Advisory Board serving the University of Miami (contact them at: umiami@firstbook.org), we would like to bring an additional long-lasting First Book presence to the Miami-Dade area by starting a community-based Local Advisory Board. If you are interested in learning more about how to start a First Book Advisory Board in the Miami-Dade area, please contact Anna at awilliamson@firstbook.org.
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Happy Birthday to the Cat in the Hat!
February 20th, 2007
Stephanie R.
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I’m sure a lot of you already know that 2007 is the 50th anniversary of the publication of The Cat in the Hat. Random House Children’s Books and Dr. Seuss Enterprises really wanted to have some fun with this, so they’ve chosen to partner with First Book in a national literacy campaign called Project 236, named for the 236 words Dr. Seuss used when writing this classic book.There are a lot of exciting things happening to celebrate the Cat’s birthday, and by joining in, you can help First Book distribute new books to children in need!
Send a Birthday Card: If you visit Seussville.com now through May 1st, you can paint and send an e-birthday card to the Cat in the Hat. For every card received, Random House Children’s Books will donate one new book to First Book! There are lots of other fun activities hosted on this site; it’s definitely worth a visit (or two). Random House will also donate one new book to First Book for each Dr. Seuss book purchased through May 1st.
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First Book University: Giving the Next Generation a Story to Tell
February 16th, 2007
James F.
1 Comment »As the number of Advisory Boards continue to grow, it becomes even more critical that we offer training opportunities to ensure the effectiveness of First Book’s volunteer network. To meet this challenge, I’m pleased to announce First Book University.
FBU includes significant and diverse training categories designed to dramatically increase the efficiency of our Advisory Board network. Categories include Cause-Based Marketing at the Local Level, How First Book Distributes Books, Board Recruitment and Development, and Media and Community Outreach. By participating in these seminars, Advisory Board members and local volunteers will better understand the First Book model — including ways to obtain and distribute books and how to inform and engage their community.
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Presidential Prose
February 16th, 2007
Erin T.
Leave a Comment »I’m going to be traveling this President’s Day weekend, so I was thinking about taking something “presidential” with me to read along the way. A quick glance at my bookshelf proves that there is no lack of literature about world leaders, especially US Presidents.
My bookshelf is an eclectic space, with room for many points of views and perspectives. Mein Kampf shares the corner with Gandhi’s Non-Violence Resistance. Khomeini, Carter, Kocharian, Nixon, Truman and Clinton all have space on my shelves, and they all have a lesson to share.
I’m always intrigued when a world leader mentions in their autobiographies what they were reading at pivotal moments in national and world history. It makes you wonder, what was Truman reading when he made the decision to drop the nuclear bomb on Japan? What was Kennedy’s bedside book as the Cuban Missile Crisis heated up? Did Lincoln pick up a novel or biography on his way to address the troops in Gettysburg?
This weekend pick up a book from one of the world’s good, bad, or bizarre leaders, and let us know if they have a good book to share!