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You are currently browsing the First Book Blog weblog archives for August, 2007.
Archive for August 2007
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Book Relief: More than 5 Million Books to the Gulf Coast
August 31st, 2007
Lynda L.
Leave a Comment »On August 21, we wrapped up our two-year effort to bring five million new books to the communities impacted by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. We not only met but exceeded our goal, with a total of more than 5.1 million books distributed!
We celebrated this accomplishment with an event at the New Orleans Public Library, where sixty students from Martin Behrman Charter Elementary School in New Orleans joined us, along with community members, local and national dignitaries, and representatives from some of our corporate and publishing partners — without whom we could not have made this happen!
From the moment we boarded the plane on Monday, I knew this would be a momentous occasion filled with lots of special moments. And I wasn’t wrong. The flight to Louisiana brought back some poignant memories for me and I’m sure for every First Book staffer who was able to make at least one visit to the Gulf Coast during the past two years.
Significant progress has been made in removing the blue tarps from the roofs of damaged homes that stood out like giant waves, greeting travelers as they approached the NOLA airport. The tarps are mostly gone now but unfortunately, it means the homes were demolished and the land cleared of rubble that more often than not included families’ hopes, dreams and lives that can never be replaced.
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$1 Million to First Book; A Million Thanks to Random House!
August 29th, 2007
Katie B.
Leave a Comment »Earlier this week, Random House, First Book’s friend and contributor, announced the largest single philanthropic contribution in its history. Over the next five years, Random House will donate $1 million to First Book.
Random House has also launched the First Book Matching Gifts Program, encouraging cash contributions from its employees, authors, illustrators, vendors, suppliers, literary agents and booksellers.
In the past ten years, Random House has donated more than 13 million wonderful, new books to First Book, enabling disadvantaged children in thousands of communities across the country to read and own their first new books. This historic donation will speed First Book toward its goal of making book ownership possible for children in need everywhere.
First Book is profoundly grateful for Random House’s extraordinary generosity and ongoing support!
To read more about this exciting announcement, click here.
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We asked - you answered!
August 24th, 2007
Clarissa P.
Leave a Comment »
This summer First Book asked you to join us in celebrating our 50 millionth book to children in need by answering the question: What book got YOU hooked?
An eclectic group of authors and celebrities were quick to lend their support. Quotes featured on our website include responses from Joyce Carol Oates, Edward Norton, Joan Allen, Rebecca Romijn, John Lithgow, Eric Carle, Judy Woodruff, Marlee Matlin, Rick Reilly, John Krasinski, Lisa Loeb, Joshua Bell, Elizabeth Gilbert and many more.
Over 100,000 people told us their favorite childhood books and memories. Nancy Drew proved its staying power at the top of the list, followed closely by Green Eggs and Ham, Little House on the Prairie, Little Women and The Cat in the Hat. View a list of the top 50 books.
Your votes also decided the state to receive a special distribution of 50,000 new books for children in need. The winning state is Oklahoma! Look forward to a big celebration in Oklahoma this September.
Keep visiting our website to find out how you can help First Book get more kids hooked.
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There’s muffin like a brand new book!
August 15th, 2007
Diane N.
Leave a Comment »First Book and Firehook Bakery believe every child deserves the chance to get hooked on reading.
That’s why we’re encouraging all Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia residents to stop by your neighborhood Firehook Bakery next Thursday, August 23rd, when a portion of proceeds will be donated to First Book, to help provide new books to children in need.
First Book is delighted to have Firehook Bakery support our What Book Got You Hooked? campaign, which celebrates our 15th anniversary and the distribution of our 50 millionth book to children in need.
Throughout the summer, First Book encouraged individuals of all ages to share the books that made them lifelong readers. The list of the top 50 books that got America hooked on reading can now be found at Firstbook.org/WhatBook.
Please be sure to stop into Firehook Bakery on August 23rd as we work together to ensure that all children have the chance to get hooked on reading!
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Not So Easy (But Not Impossible)
August 9th, 2007
Mindy Klasky
1 Comment »
Guest blogger Mindy Klasky is the author of six fantasy novels, including the award-winning, best-selling The Glasswrights’ Apprentice and numerous short stories. Her latest novel, Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft, is a lighthearted, fictional tale featuring a love-struck D.C. librarian who discovers she’s a witch. A portion of proceeds from the sale of Girl’s Guide will benefit First Book.Last month, I visited New Orleans, attending the annual meeting of the American Association of Law Libraries. That was my first trip to the Big Easy since Katrina. As a convention attendee, I received a lot of information in advance about how New Orleans needed us to attend, about how the place is dangerous and requires special care from visitors, about how the city is recovering very, very slowly.
I arrived with some trepidation. Flying over the city, I could see bright blue of tarps on hundreds of roofs, glinting like toxic swimming pools. The airport was quiet and subdued, reminding me of an after-midnight abandoned terminal, even though I was arriving at noon. The July heat and humidity hit me like a wall as I stepped outside.
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Announcing the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories Children’s Book Contest
August 2nd, 2007
Diane N.
Leave a Comment »Calling all aspiring children’s book authors! Are you looking to get published? Cheerios can help!
Cheerios is searching for the next great children’s book author. From now through Sept. 7, all previously unpublished adult authors are invited to submit their stories targeting children ages 4-8 to the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stores Children’s Book Contest. The winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000 in addition to having his or her story reviewed for a potential book deal with Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. Two other finalists will receive cash prizes of $1,000 each. The stories of all prize winners will appear on SpoonsfulsofStories.com.
Over the past five years, Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories has spread the magic of reading by distributing more than 25 million books to kids. With the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories Children’s Book Contest, they hope to support first-time authors, leading to more great books that will inspire and entertain the next generation of readers.
For a complete list of rules — and to submit your own story — please visit:
SpoonfulsofStoriesContest.com. -
Blogathon Raises $1900 for First Book!
August 2nd, 2007
Clarissa P.
Leave a Comment »Thanks to all the bloggers who raised money for us in this year’s Blogathon — they raised more than $1900 for First Book!
• Alanna
• Blogging for Books
• It’s Wicked Dark Down There
• Katherine of Padua
• Nancy’s Baby Names
• Potterthon
• Putting The ‘Fun’ In ‘Funeral’
• STGforDummies
• The Barmy Baker
• The Pronunciation of Nose
• Write Stuff