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You are currently browsing the First Book Blog weblog archives for February, 2008.
Archive for February 2008
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Hoppy Leap Year!
February 29th, 2008
Katie B.
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Earlier this week, First Book got into the “leap year” spirit by partnering with Bullfrog & Baum, a Public Relations and Marketing Agency specializing in hospitality and lifestyle clients, to launch Bullfrog & Books, an initiative to support and provide new books to underprivileged children throughout the country.The first Bullfrog & Books event was hosted by BLT Fish in New York City and helped to raise more than $3000 (and provide 1,500 books) to children in need across the country! We’re thrilled to continue our work together with Bullfrog & Baum to feed even more hungry young minds by providing them with a steady diet of brand-new books.
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Of Books and “Brightness”
February 29th, 2008
Jen W.
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Did you know that celebrated author Michael Cunningham (The Hours) aspired to the sleuthing skills of Nancy Drew as a kid? Or that playwright Eve Ensler secretly wanted to be Grace Slick growing up?Neither did we, but we sure heard all sorts of fabulous childhood stories when Borders, HarperCollins Publishers and First Book hosted a standing-room-only author event last Wednesday at the Borders Books and Music in Columbus Circle, New York City!
The panel of amazing authors, moderated by author and Academy Award-winning playwright James Lescene, included Cunningham, Ensler and author Peter Cameron. The special event was in celebration of HarperCollins’ publication of Lescene’s new young adult novel, Absolute Brightness, and included a reading and signing of the book. All proceeds from the sale of Lescene’s book went to First Book. (Thank you, James!)
I promptly devoured the book on the train ride back, and let me tell you, dear readers… be prepared. It’s a funny, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting book about the good and evil that lurks in us all. It’s a must-read for sure (just keep your hankie handy!).
First Book would like to send out a special thank you to Borders Columbus Circle, Laura Geringer, and the wonderful authors who participated in the event for making it such a memorable evening!
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Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
February 29th, 2008
Erin T.
Leave a Comment »This Sunday, March 2nd, marks the birthday of the beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss! So fix yourselves some green eggs and ham, and celebrate with some great activities throughout the nation.
The National Education Association (NEA) will be sharing the joy of reading with three traveling “Cat-a-Vans,” as part of their annual Read Across America events. They’ll be trekking over 1,200 miles in 11 states, so check out their itinerary to see if they’ll be coming to a city near you.
New this year, hear Dr. Seuss’ classic, “Horton Hears a Who!” come to life in an animated, digital format. You can download the magic at www.kidthing.com/neasreadacrossamerica/, and learn why every person is important no matter how small.
The fun isn’t over yet! Head on down to Seussville, where the playground has a lot of interactive games and activities to keep you and your family guessing and learning.
We’d love to hear what you are doing to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday, so send us your stories!
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
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First Book President Kyle Zimmer attends the World Economic Forum
February 28th, 2008
Diane N.
Leave a Comment »In December 2006 First Book president and co-founder Kyle Zimmer was named Social Entrepreneur of the Year in the United States by the international Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. She concluded her year with a trip to Davos, Switzerland for the annual World Economic Forum last month. Here, Kyle writes about the three-day Summit for Social Entrepreneurs in Zurich preceding the Forum.
“A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Switzerland to attend the Schwab Foundation’s annual Summit for Social Entrepreneurs as well as the World Economic Forum.
At both gatherings, I had the honor to hear some of the brightest individuals on the planet speak about how they are tackling some of the world’s largest social problems. I was inspired by their stories. There are too many to list them all, but to give you a few examples:
In Singapore, Jack Sim has made sanitation issues and public toilets his mission to help save the lives of millions of children each year. In Chile, Mary Anne Muller Prieto has founded a school that focuses on the most troubled youth. Students graduate with a technical degree in farming and organic agriculture and, in the process, learn the life and leadership skills to turn their lives around.
I was humbled to find myself in the company of these individuals – true heroes working at great risk and sacrifice not only to themselves but also to their families. They are moving mountains in the face of tremendous opposition, which makes me believe that here in the most open society in the world, we too, can solve the literacy crisis plaguing our nation.
As we look ahead, First Book is poised for significant growth in our capacity to end illiteracy. We stand firm in our commitment to reach the most disadvantaged children and we are thankful for your continued help as we speed ahead.”
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An Evening in Wonderland
February 27th, 2008
Nicole T.
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Last week we had the pleasure to join some members of First Book-Collier County for An Evening in Wonderland. The event was a benefit gala for the Fun Time Early Childhood Academy, a Recipient Group of First Book-Collier County. The Alice in Wonderland theme was playfully embraced throughout the evening. Many of the Fun Time Board of Directors were dressed in costume, area artists donated painted teapots for the silent auction, and we were treated to a tower of cupcakes for dessert. Thank you First Book-Collier County for inviting us to share in this truly wonder-ful evening! -
Get Ready to Drop Everything and Read!
February 26th, 2008
Rachael V.
Leave a Comment »Special thanks to Rachael Walker, Outreach Consultant for Reading Rockets, for providing this post.
What book would make beloved children’s author Beverly Cleary drop everything and read? Ask her! In preparation for the third annual National D.E.A.R. Day—that’s Drop Everything and Read—Reading Rockets is collecting questions for Mrs. Cleary from readers of all ages. She’ll answer the best and most original questions on April 12, National D.E.A.R. Day and her birthday, in a new exclusive audio interview.
You have until this Friday, February 29 to send your question, so you may want to first watch or read this Reading Rockets interview with Mrs. Cleary to see if the question you have in mind has already been answered. If your new question is selected to be answered, HarperCollins Children’s Books will send you a set of Beverly Cleary titles! Visit Reading Rockets site and submit your question.
National D.E.A.R. Day is so pleased to have First Book work together with Reading Rockets, HarperCollins Children’s Books, National PTA, National Education Association, General Federation of Women’s Clubs, and the Newspaper Association of America Foundation to encourage families to set aside time to drop everything and read together at home. With so many other activities and forms of entertainment to choose from, parents need a gentle reminder that reading together on a daily basis should be a family priority. Learn more about how to plan your own National D.E.A.R Day celebration, request a free D.E.A.R. poster, and enter to win free books for your school or library at www.dropeverythingandread.com.
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Blog Contest Winner: Mark Kennedy
February 25th, 2008
Nicole T.
Leave a Comment »Congratulations to Mark Kennedy of Washington, PA for winning our first Blog Contest!
Here are the questions and their answers:
1. What First Book partner sponsors National Literacy Action Week?
Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education (SCALE)2. What special edition book sold out on the First Book Marketplace?
Martin’s Big Words3. How did the winner of the Cheerios Spoonful of Stories Contest come up with her book idea?
Shellie Braeuner was washing the family dog when she came up with an idea for a story: The Great Dog Wash.Thank you to everyone who submitted entries to the contest! Watch for more blog contests in the coming months.
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One Third to Go!
February 22nd, 2008
James F.
Leave a Comment »Its official, winter is two thirds complete. That’s akin to a cat using up 6 lives, making it to Wyoming on a cross-country drive that began in New York City or getting to page 855 of War and Peace.
Well my cat ‘Ernie’ is still quite young, I do not plan on driving cross country with the price of gas being what it is and I have never made it anywhere near page 855 of War and Peace! So what does this have to do with literacy and the First Book blog? Good question!
While recently doing my spring cleaning–albeit a bit prematurely–I began to think about the books that helped me through this winter’s hibernation period and was hoping you could offer suggestions to get me through the remainder of the season.
The books I have read this winter include: Born Standing Up by Steve Martin, A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Gordon Malkiel, The Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson and The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman
Yes, one third to go. That’s 30 days…720 hours…43,200 minutes… Plenty of time to devour more books.
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Advisory Board Spotlight: First Book- Johnson County, Iowa
February 22nd, 2008
Heather J.
Leave a Comment »Congratulations to First Book—Johnson County, Iowa for hosting a successful Speed Read Challenge on November 30, 2007! The Advisory Board raised over $5,000 and significantly increased awareness about First Book through radio, television, and print coverage in newspapers. Hosted at an area mall during Literacy Week, the Advisory Board invited 30 local celebrities to compete against one another in a single elimination bracket system arranged to narrow down the speedy readers. Each reader raised donations to support their Speed Read participation. The top fundraiser and fastest reader were awarded grand prizes for their contributions. As well, Kohl’s A-Team volunteered at the event resulting in an additional $500 donation. Thank you for your amazing efforts and keep up the great work, First Book—Johnson County!
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Literacy as a Motivator
February 20th, 2008
Katie B.
Leave a Comment »From time to time, we receive personal stories and anecdotes from our supporters describing the way literacy has affected their lives and encouraged them to join First Book in our mission to bring new books to kids in need.
Julie Carney, a Pi Beta Phi member recently shared her thoughts:
“Literacy was a big part of my life growing up, and continues to be a great motivator even now. My mother and grandmother, a teacher and librarian respectively, encouraged me to read throughout my childhood. Deep down I think they knew that being able to read only encourages literacy in life. Through the ability to read, we increase our communication skills. More importantly, reading cultivates literacy on topics affecting our daily lives such as health, finances, politics and more. Literacy breeds knowledge. Knowledge breeds success. The successful literacy programs of our Fraternity, of which I am tremendously proud to participate in and support, are building promise and hope in our collegiate and alumnae communities.”