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You are currently browsing the First Book Blog weblog archives for April, 2007.
Archive for April 2007
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Idaho Adventure - The End
April 30th, 2007
Erin T.
Leave a Comment »Saturday, April 28th -
Yesterday’s Idaho Library Association Conference was a great way to end the week, as we had a chance to meet with potential volunteers and share the First Book story with librarians who understand the magic of reading. We presented at a workshop, encouraging the participants to help start Advisory Boards in their community.
By the end of Friday afternoon, all the days and hours of travel finally caught up with us, and we were ready for an early dinner and a good night’s sleep. It was a good thing that we did, because 6am came really early this morning!
As we wait for our 8:15am flight back to DC, we look back fondly on our travels through Idaho this week. We’ve met amazing people, saw breathtaking views of beautiful Idaho, and managed a couple fun excursions along the way. Thank you for joining us this week. We look forward to blogging again the next time we hit the road!
Trip Summary:
Days: 7
Air Miles: 4,391
Road Miles: 1,299 -
El día de los niños
April 30th, 2007
Chandler A.
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Take a few moments today to celebrate El día de los niños with the children you serve! El día de los niños is a celebration of children, families and reading held annually at the end of April. Over the past few days — and culminating today — First Book supported programs across the country have been hosting special initiatives to distribute new books to children from low-income families. What better day than today to find a new way to support the children in your community?
In celebration of this day, First Book has also renewed its commitment to make as many Spanish and bilingual titles as possible available via the First Book Marketplace. Please check out the special Spanish and bilingual titles available now.
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National Poetry Month
April 30th, 2007
Erika D.
Leave a Comment »Guest Blogger Erika D. is a former First Book Fellow.
After leaving First Book last July, I packed up and moved to Boston to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry at Emerson College. Since April is National Poetry Month, I thought I’d share a little about this journey and what poetry has meant to me.
Throughout my first year at Emerson, students and faculty have talked a great deal about what poetry is, why we write, and why this pursuit of writing is an honorable one. I’ve read theories of poetics by everyone from Plato to Wallace Stevens, and many have different ideas about what poetry should be, but have the same need to explain why it is they feel called to write.
We write because we’re bored, because we see something that inspires us, because our imaginations run wild, because we are upset, because for a split second we remember what it feels like to be a kid.
What I have learned this year is that the answer to that question is different for all writers, but the pursuit of that answer is what unites us.
For me, Elizabeth Bishop touches most closely on the reason we write in her poem, “One Art”.
Wherever your own journeys in writing or in reading may take you, remember this month that we are all joined together by this passion for words. The ability to take yourself to new worlds lies merely in a blank sheet of paper and a pen.
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Arbor Day
April 27th, 2007
Jen W.
1 Comment »In celebration of Arbor Day, all of us here at First Book would like to take a moment to celebrate one of our favorite trees in literature — Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree. I remember reading this book as a kid and being incredibly touched by the generosity of the tree, and very angry at the kid for his selfish behavior. Anyone else have rememberences of this children’s classic?
For more information about author Shel Silverstein, check out the official site for kids at ShelSilverstein.com! It’s as fun and unique as his books, chock full of animation, e-cards, and more.
Hug a tree today!
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Idaho Adventure - Day 5
April 27th, 2007
Erin T.
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Today we discovered some of Idaho’s best treasures, and had a blast doing it! We left the Sun Valley and headed east driving by the Craters of the Moon National Park. We had gotten an early enough start that we were able to take a few minutes to enjoy the amazing geological features that the park offers. We only skimmed the surface (no pun intended) but what we saw was simply amazing. The volcano that exploded over 2,000 years ago in the area left lava flows, cinder cones, and a bizarre view of “moonlike” qualities.
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Idaho Adventure - Day 4
April 26th, 2007
Tonya S.
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Wednesday, April 25th-Having been this way before, Erin and I are adamant that we must fit time into our schedule for a Boise tradition, Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro. This hip, delicious restaurant is a great way to start the day off right. After checking in with our fearless leader, James, and giving him an update on our last few days of meetings and travel, we were off to Twin Falls.
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Reading with First Book
April 26th, 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.
Beans Baker’s Best Shot, by Richard Torrey. During soccer practice Chester accidently injures his best friend, Beans’ leg just before the championship game. Chester thinks Beans is angry with him because of the injury and decides not to play in the championship game. True friendship saves the day and Chester helps win the game. Grades K-2.
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One More Week to Send a Birthday Card to the Cat!
April 25th, 2007
Stephanie R.
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Well folks, you’ve been reading it here since March, but the last day to send an e-birthday card to The Cat in the Hat is May 1st! It only takes a minute, and by sending a card you will also be generating one new book for a child in need, thanks to our partners at Random House and Dr. Seuss Enterprises. So far, over 1,370,000 cards have been sent, which means that over 1,370,000 books are being donated to First Book!
We can still earn more however, so please help out by sending a card and spreading the word. Only 5 days left!
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Idaho Adventure- Day 3
April 25th, 2007
Erin T.
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Tuesday, April 24th- 7:30am PST- Coffee in hand, we leave our hotel in Lewiston ready for the drive down to Boise. Depending on who we asked, we were told it was a 7 to 10 hour trip, so we wanted to leave plenty of time for even the worst case scenario.
9:41am PST/10:41am MST- Heading South through Idaho we pass a bridge that acts as the line of demarcation between pacific and mountain time. We stop to snatch a picture, change our clocks, and to enjoy the amazing views of the mountainous pine forests.
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Idaho Adventure - Day Two
April 24th, 2007
Erin T.
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First Book-Kootenai
Monday, April 23rd - Woke up today well before the alarm clock, my body forgetting that it was supposed to be on Pacific Time.
We met with four Advisory Boards today, each unique in their own way, and once again showing the reason that First Book Advisory Boards nationwide are so successful is the autonomy that each group has to make First Book fit within their own community.