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You are currently browsing the First Book Blog weblog archives for April, 2008.
Archive for April 2008
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A post from Ken, the Intern
April 30th, 2008
Ken G.
Leave a Comment »It was a week before I was set to leave for DC that I finally learned of my internship placement at First Book. I had never heard of First Book before but maintained the belief that everything would work out…it did.
Placed in the communication department to coincide with my major, I was pleasantly surprised when I was given several substantive projects and assignments to work on instead of tedious busy work. There have been several occasions where I have applied lessons and skills from college to the project I was working on. Working closely with other First Book staff members, I spend my days putting together spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, doing online research, sending out dozens of e-mails and attending book distribution events.
Yesterday marked the half way point of my time here in DC and I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by! It should really be no surprise though, considering how much fun I am having. It really helps that First Book is composed of the friendliest staff in DC, which makes coming to work a pleasure. Everyone here is dedicated to getting books to kids and it is truly an amazing feeling knowing you are apart of this wonderful cause.
I cannot recommend First Book enough. They have helped me develop so many skills and gain tons of insights and experiences that I will be able to apply in my future career. This is the perfect place for anyone interested in public policy or just looking for a rewarding experience and I cannot thank the First Book staff enough for making me feel apart of the family.
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Take the Cheerios Book Donation Challenge!
April 29th, 2008
John Lithgow
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Guest blogger John Lithgow is an award-winning actor, author and entertainer. His extraordinary talents have earned him two Tony Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, two SAG Awards, The American Comedy Award, and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. John is also a two-time Academy Award nominee.I am delighted to be joining Cheerios and First Book to present this year’s Cheerios® Book Donation Challenge. It is such a thrill to see my friends from Marsupial Sue, Micawber and I’m a Manatee doing their part to help get new books to children in need.
The Challenge gives you the chance to determine where Cheerios will donate 100,000 new books to children across the country. For every question you answer correctly, you can vote for the state that you’d like to receive new books for children in need. The top 5 vote-getting states will each receive 20,000 new books for local children! What could be more fun than that?
Take a look in the cereal aisle at a store near you for the special-edition Cheerios boxes featuring my friends from Marsupial Sue, Micawber, and I’m a Manatee! On the back of the cereal box you will find trivia questions that will keep everyone at the table thinking through breakfast. (In I’m a Manatee, what IS kept spick and span-atee?)
And be sure to visit the Cheerios Book Donation Challenge to cast your votes from now until Sunday, June 15th!
Before I go, I’d like to tip my hat to First Book and Cheerios for the terrific work they are doing to ensure that all kids have the chance to grow up with new books in their lives. As an author, and as a father, I can think of no greater gift to share with a child.
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Pi Phi celebrates their 141st year with new books
April 28th, 2008
Katie B.
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First Book is proud to celebrate the joy of reading with the incredible women of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity. Today marks the Fraternity’s 141st year and another milestone in the Fraternity’s long history of supporting literacy.On April 28, 1867, 12 women joined together to form a secret college society for women at Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL, not knowing what the future would hold. More than 140 years later, those 12 women have touched the lives of over 236,000 members across North America. Pi Beta Phi was the first national secret college society of women to be modeled after the Greek-letter fraternities of men. At a time when few women were admitted to colleges and universities, Pi Beta Phi created a feeling of unity among pioneering women.
To honor this anniversary, First Book and Pi Beta Phi distributed 250,000 brand-new books to children in need across the country.
In addition, Pi Beta Phi and First Book hosted two reading party events in celebration of Founders’ Day in Dallas and Champaign, Illinois. Dallas area Pi Beta Phi alumnae and collegians and members of the University of Illinois chapter of Pi Beta Phi celebrated the donation of brand-new books by decorating bookplates and reading with local children. Each child participating received two new books to take home.
Pi Phi has a long legacy of supporting literacy and we applaud their renewed commitment to literacy for children across the country. Happy Birthday Pi Beta Phi!
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National Volunteer Week: Thank you for your time!
April 28th, 2008
James F.
Leave a Comment »April 27-May 3 is National Volunteer Week and this is the perfect time to formally thank our volunteers for their dedication to First Book. Their accomplishments in the form of nearly 275 Advisory Boards are a great example of the power volunteers have to affect significant and lasting change.
According to the Gallup Organization, 44% of Americans volunteer with a formal organization. This is equivalent to 9 million full-time employees, valued at $239 million.
As difficult as it may be to grasp the enormity of 44% of Americans, 9 million full-time employees or $239 million dollars, it is even more difficult to place an actual value on a volunteer’s time.
The most precious of all resources is time. Try as we might it is simply not possible to acquire more of it. Sure we try to save time, make time even attempt to gain time during daylight savings–but these are illusions.
Therefore, First Book values its volunteers’ time, not in dollars, but in recognizing and appreciating their generosity of expending their most precious resource by giving books to kids.
The work done by First Book Advisory Boards is unmatched. Over the years, they have raised millions of dollars, distributed countless millions of books to thousands of children. As difficult as it may be to grasp the enormity of these accomplishments, perhaps even more difficult is to find the right words to show our appreciation, but here we go: We at First Book honor our incredible volunteers and on behalf of the children we serve send out a GREAT BIG THANK YOU!
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A note of thanks…
April 25th, 2008
Erin T.
1 Comment »Have a happy Friday, everyone!
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Gates’ Random Fact of the Week
April 23rd, 2008
Gates
Leave a Comment »First Book is all about books so it makes sense to wonder how many books there are in the US. I didn’t find out the exact number of books, but I did learn a little about the number of libraries that exist. Did you know that the US has more libraries than another country in the world? I didn’t, but I think it’s pretty cool.
Thomas Jefferson’s quote “I cannot live without books” seems to hold true today based on the number of libraries that exist; however, people are not reading like they once did. Do you ever go to the library near to checkout a classic or the latest bestseller?
Here is another great quote from Henry Ward Beecher that I think describes why libraries are so special to Americans: “A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.” What do you think, do you agree?
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Celebrate poetry!
April 21st, 2008
Katie B.
Leave a Comment »Special thanks to Rachael Walker, Outreach Consultant for Reading Rockets, for providing this post.
April is National Poetry Month. If April showers are keeping you indoors, use children’s poetry to encourage kids to read with this special online video presentation “Meet the Author: On Poetry” from Reading Rockets. Listen and watch as six acclaimed children’s writers explore the power and beauty of poetry.Check out too what author Pat Mora, who has written poetry collections for both children and adults, has to say about poetry. In her interview with Reading Rockets, she says, “…poetry’s my favorite form. It’s probably because it’s the most challenging. In many ways, it’s the most playful of the forms, I think.”
Pat is also the founder of El día del niños/El día del libros – Children’s Day/Book Day, the April 30 celebration that brings together children books, languages and cultures. Sharing poems is a great way to celebrate Dia!
What are some of your favorite poems?
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First Book in Massachusetts!
April 18th, 2008
Bonnie J.
Leave a Comment »On April 12th First Book University hosted a seminar and reception in Amherst, Massachusetts. Both events were held at the inspired Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. The museum, a 40,000 square foot building situated in a 7.5-acre apple orchard, was a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of DC living!
In addition to learning about fundraising and having a book granting party, we were treated to viewing the works of great authors and illustrators such as Arnold Lobel, Leo Leonni, and of course, Eric Carle. Our reception welcomed many guests to the art studio where Advisory Board members, Recipient Groups, and community members gathered to network and learn more about First Book as well as trying their creative hands at watercolor. In fact, I can now say that I have a work of art hanging in the Eric Carle Museum!Thanks to everyone who attended and made this event a success! If you were not able to make it, but are curious about the work First Book does, join us for a conference call on May 15th. Please email help@firstbook.org to register or visit our help center online at http://help.firstbook.org/.
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Advisory Board Spotlight of the Month - Doris Grajkowski
April 17th, 2008
James F.
Leave a Comment »Doris Grajkowski, First Book-Fond du Lac, WI. Doris Grajkowski is an outstanding member of First Book-Fond du Lac, WI. Doris, a retired elementary school teacher has seen many times over how the power of books impacts a child’s life.In addition to her work with First Book-Fond du Lac, WI, Doris is a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society where she brings new books to the children she sees during home visits. Doris said, “The families that we visit are very poor; they cannot afford new books, this (Borders) promotion will give the children a chance to succeed and become readers.”
First Book honors Doris for her work with First Book and for providing books as a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society. Doris’ dedication has truly made a difference to the Fond du Lac community.
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First Book Podcast: “Library Lion” Author Michelle Knudsen!
April 16th, 2008
Jen W.
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In honor of National Library Week, First Book recently had the opportunity to chat with best-selling children’s book author (and fan of libraries) Michelle Knudsen!Her New York Times bestseller, the award-winning Library Lion (Candlewick, 2006; illustrated by Kevin Hawkes) has become an instant classic with kids, teachers, and librarians alike!
Click the Play Now link below to hear Michelle tell us about her inspirations, her life-long love of libraries, and more.
