Posts by Bonnie J.

Community Spotlight: Pi Beta Phi Members Retired and Volunteering

Sep27
2010 Written by Bonnie J.

This months group is an overseas program founded by a member of First Books long standing partner, Pi Beta Phi. This post features an individual that is volunteering abroad, and taking her passion for literacy to all corners of the world.

Kentucky Beta member Ann Enderly Walker’s family began a Christian-based nonprofit organization providing short-term medical and humanitarian care throughout the world. The organization, His Healing Hands, works to make a difference in the world to those caught in the vicious cycle of poverty and disease. “Medical backgrounds and a willingness to serve caused my husband and I to get involved,” Ann says. “I am a retired registered nurse, and my husband is a retired firefighter. We both feel very strongly about giving back to those less fortunate.”

Ann and her husband fell in love with volunteer service after their first trip to China. “The plight of the people we saw was unbelievable; yet their humility, joy for life and gratitude for the care we gave them convinced us that we were the lucky ones,” Ann says. “Although we touched their lives READ MORE »

Posted in First Book Partners, General - Tagged ,

First Book Staff Profile

Sep22
2010 Written by Bonnie J.

Name: Ben B.

What do you do at FB?

I work directly with the Advisory Boards as the     Community Development Manager.

Tell us a fun fact about you?

I have been in several local Ohio rock bands that opened for National Recording acts.

Whats on your nightstand now?

Matilda, by Roald Dahl

Book you’ve faked reading:

Moby Dick, AND… faked a 30 page paper about it too.

Do you have a favorite quote or saying you live by?

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi. I even have it tattooed on my wrist.

Book you most want to read again for the first time:

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Peter Hedges

Posted in Around the First Book Office, Books & Reading, General - Tagged ,

Odds and Bookends: September 17, 2010

Sep17
2010 Written by Bonnie J.

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month

A library card is a passport. It permits its owner to travel to other places and times through the pages of a book. Membership in the community of the public library places thousands of resources at your fingertips. Celebrate National Library Card Month with a trip to the library to explore all the many resources available!

Now that’s what I call a contest prize!

Star alongside Oliver Jeffers in the Exclusive Up and Down video! To celebrate the release of this new amazing book we are looking for parents, children and fans of Oliver’s work, to take part in an exclusive Up and Down video reading. Entries must be received by October 10th!

Where’s Peter?

Where’s Peter from The Snowy Day is traveling the world before he joins Jumpstart’s Read for the Record on October 7th when millions of adults and children will read The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Don’t forget to pledge to read, or check out the First Book Marketplace to order your programs copies of The Snowy Day

Click to Give!

The Literacy Site is a website where all you need to do is click to give books to kids in need! From now until September 29th, thanks to Pi Beta Phi, the value of your click is doubled! Help us reach out goal of 24,000 books by clicking daily!

Posted in Books & Reading, First Book Partners, General, Literacy - Tagged , , , ,

Thank You Thursday

Sep16
2010 Written by Bonnie J.

Today’s post is brought to you by Whittier Elementary, who writes:

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Literacy - Tagged

Happy Roald Dahl Day!

Sep14
2010 Written by Bonnie J.

On September 13th fans from across the globe celebrated Roald Dahl Day.  Originally launched on in 2006 to celebrate what would have been the writer’s 90th birthday, Roald Dahl Day has expanded to a full month of festivities. “Roald was a great believer in birthdays being filled with treats,” said Felicity Dahl, the author’s widow,”so he would be so happy that this tradition seems to be becoming an annual event.”

Dahl died in 1990 but his books remain as popular as ever, published in almost 50 languages.  Favorite titles such as Matilda, James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have been enjoyed by children and adults alike for generations in both book and film form.

Many activities in Dahl’s native United Kingdom occurred yesterday including dinner with a themed menu including “glumptious globgobblers” READ MORE »

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Literacy - Tagged

Blog Log: September 11, 2010

Sep11
2010 Written by Bonnie J.

National Reading Group Month (NRGM) is the innovation of sisters Martha Burns and Alice Dillon, Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) members and the authors of Reading Group Journal: Notes in the Margin (Abbeville Press). They aim to increase public awareness of the joy and value of shared reading.

First Book Post Pick: Great Group Reads

Story Snoops was started by four moms who share a passion for reading and want to help their children and others learn more about books that will encourage them to love reading, too.

First Book Post Pick: Find-a-Book

The National Children’s Literacy Website is a unique children’s literacy initiative and is part of the Soho Center’s National Children’s Literacy Information project, dedicated to advancing the literacy skills of young children, promoting literacy as an integral factor in the growth of society, and enhancing literacy in a variety of home and child care settings.

First Book Post Pick: Library Services for School Aged Children

mental_floss magazine - where knowledge junkies get their fix. Visit the website to learn more about their magazine, as well as read blogs, trivia, quizzes and amazing facts!

First Book Post Pick: 7 Curious Facts About 7 Dr. Seuss Books

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Literacy - Tagged , , ,

Odds and Bookends: September 10, 2010

Sep10
2010 Written by Bonnie J.

The Funniest Children’s Books by Comedians

Reading to kids is a great experience, but when it comes to children’s books, the jokes often fall flat. Thankfully, many of our favorite comedians from Jeff Foxworthy to Jerry Seinfeld are able to tell great stories in the voice of our favorite funny people. Check them out for yourself and vote for your favorite!

Reading Rockets: How to Read with a Squiggly Baby (or Toddler!)

Parents know they should read with their child every day. But reading together requires that your baby or toddler will actually sit still long enough for a book! If you’ve got a squiggler in your house, see if these tips help your reading time go a little more smoothly.

Mortar Board Virtual Book Drive Underway!

Illiteracy is linked to nearly every major socioeconomic crisis today.  Since 2002, Mortar Board has made a national commitment to combat illiteracy with the “Reading is Leading” national project.  Join Mortar Board in their third annual Virtual Book Drive challenge, held in conjunction with First Book, running through November 12.

Announcing the 2010 Hugo Award Winners

The Hugo Awards are awarded for excellence in the field of science fiction and fantasy writing. The awards have been given since 1953 by the annual World Science Fiction Convention (the “Worldcon”). The awards are run by and voted on by fans. Check out nominees, winners and more information about this award by visiting www.thehugoawards.org

Posted in Books & Reading, First Book Partners, General, Literacy, Literacy Links and Articles - Tagged , , ,

Blog Log: September 7, 2010

Sep07
2010 Written by Bonnie J.

Flashlight Worthy is here to help people like you learn about the best books! Flashlight Worthy is nothing but thoughtful, hand-picked recommendations organized into hundreds of useful, interesting, fun lists…And all we do is books.

First Book’s Post Pick: 5 Vintage Children’s Books for the First Day of School

Latina Lista.net is the blog of Marisa Trevino, syndicated journalist and local public radio commentator writing about family, education and other social justice issues for over a decade. Dedicated Latina, playwright, and citizen.

First Book’s Post Pick: Latina Lista wants to help libraries in underserved communities get free books.

Choice Literacy is dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality resources for k-12 literacy leaders. Founded in 2006, the website has grown to include over 700 professionally produced and edited video and print features from top educators in the field.

First Book’s Post Pick: Creative Literacy Events for Families.

Corpus Libris. An Ongoing Photo Essay on Books and the Bodies that love them.

First Book’s Post Pick: All of it!

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Literacy - Tagged , , ,

Odds and Bookends: September 3, 2010

Sep03
2010 Written by Bonnie J.

Fold, Pull, Pop & Turn

Movable, pop-up, folding, and multiple-construction books from the year 1570 to the present day comprise this Smithsonian Institution Libraries’ exhibition highlighting innovative book design, which is on display in the Smithsonian Libraries Exhibition Gallery, National Museum of American History, First floor west, through September 1, 2011.

“Mockingjay” Tops All National Bestsellers Lists; Scholastic Goes Back for Second Printing

Mockingjay, the third and final book in Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy, has debuted at #1 on both the USA Today and The New York Times bestseller lists. In just its first week on sale in the U.S., Mockingjay has sold more than 450,000 copies in hardcover and eBook format — prompting Scholastic to print an additional 400,000 copies. That brings the total copies of Mockingjay in print in the U.S. to 1.6 million since the book’s release on August 24th.

Coming to a Book Near You: Awful and Awesome Book Trailers.

In a world where movie adaptations corrupt the imagination (picture Harry Potter, not Daniel Radcliffe), book trailers — videos for would-be bestsellers — were inevitable. Is this bad? Good? Silly? Thoughts…

Actress Maria Menounos And Nestlé Help Kick Of National Literacy Month

Nestlé announced the new charitable initiative, “The Nestlé Share the Joy of Reading Program,” which will donate up to $250,000 to Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit children’s literacy organization. The program will end in December of 2011. For more details, head to www.celebrationcorner.com/RIF

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Literacy - Tagged , , , ,

Thank You Thursday

Sep02
2010 Written by Bonnie J.

Today’s post is brought to you by Jessa Lynn, who writes:

Posted in Books & Reading
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