Because of First Book, over 4,000 students are happy that they know about Dr. Martin L. King Jr., his legacy and love of literature. In the words of Dr. King, thank you for seeking happiness for others. Your continued support and inspiration for the MLK Parade of Book Project made the difference in the Pensacola community.
– Pastor Charles Morris, Bethel Youth Development
We got a call not long ago from Bethel Youth Development, a nonprofit that works with kids from low-income families in Pensacola, Fla. Every year, they host an parade of books on MLK Day in honor of Dr. Martin L. King Jr., and they needed 2,000 copies of ‘Martin’s Big Words’, a picture book that tells Dr. King’s story in his own words, as well as 1,000 copies of a second book, ‘Thank You, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’.
Award-winning books for young readers and some dedicated local educators working hard to get the resources they needed for their kids? Music to our ears! That’s exactly the kind of problem First Book was created to solve.
There was one difficulty. We didn’t actually HAVE those two books.
But every problem is an opportunity in disguise, as they say, so we contacted our friends at Random House, the publishers of both books, and because we were able to ask for so many copies of the books, they agreed to offer us both titles for the First Book Marketplace, our website where educators who work with kids in need can get high-quality, award-winning titles at a fraction of the normal retail cost.
So Bethel Youth Development was able to get the books they needed in time for the parade, and continue their amazing work with kids in Pensacola.
At retail price, the books would have cost over $32,000. But by working with First Book, Bethel Youth Development was able to get all 3,000 books for $8,150. (Sometime people question the value of giving new books to kids in need, asking why used books and local donations won’t do the job. But, as we have learned, not only are these channels typically insufficient to meet the needs of large programs like this one, there is an enormous value in providing something new to children who often have never owned a book of their very own.)
In addition to helping Bethel Youth Development in their important work, this was also a win for Random House, as they were able to reach these new readers with their books — readers whose families could likely not have afforded the books at retail prices.
We love stories like this.

We kicked things off yesterday at Ethel M. Taylor Academy in Cincinnati with a great event featuring teachers, kids and children’s authors – all our favorite people.
First Book staff and volunteers are lining ‘em up and knocking ‘em down this week as we work to distribute 
We got to meet lots of amazing kids at
“The kids love getting these books, they’re really excited about it,” said Lois Myers, librarian at Belmont-Runyon Elementary. “They say ‘We get to keep these books!?’”
So, along with two good friends, I started First Book, to make sure those kids, and kids like them all across the country, would have brand-new books of their own, and to make sure that the teachers and program leaders working with these children every day would have the books and resources they need to do their jobs.
So we’ve got some big plans to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Before this year is over, we’re going to distribute another 10 million new books, recruit local volunteers in 30 additional cities, and double the number of schools and programs that are connected to First Book’s resources, from 25,000 to 50,000.
The biggest party we’ve heard about so far took place in New Orleans, at James Singleton Charter School. (Mo grew up in New Orleans, and has a special place in his heart for New Orleans kids, so making sure they all had copies of his books was important to him.)
“The children looked adorable in their ‘Elephant and Piggie’ ears and the costumed characters made the kids shout with glee,” said local author 
Thank you for giving us the books. We really like them. You guys have the best books ever because my little sister loves these books.
back, though, because Hawaii is AWESOME. If we come back, maybe we’ll see you.

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