First Book, first step to literacy
First Book was featured in Wednesday’s Washington Times. Visit this link to read the article.
National Novel Writing Month
This month is National Novel Writing Month, where participants try to write a 50,000 word novel by midnight November 30. In 2007, over 100,000 people participated! This program is for everyone who has […]

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Have you started making your holiday shopping list yet? Are you worried about making every dollar go farther? Give wonderful gifts to friends and family while providing brand-new books to kids in need.

You can now get our original READ sticker on a number of different products! From tote bags to t-shirts, infant […]

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I wanted to share this great photo taken at the KPMG’s Family for Literacy second year kick-off event at the Franklin Street School in Newark, NJ. Newark Mayor Cory Booker truly engaged a group of students with reading such books as Frog and Toad are Friends, and Mama, If You Had a Wish. […]

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Auctions Benefitting First Book
Author Mindy Klasky offers eleven different ways you can support First Book, including ten auction items from jewelry to your name in a book and a fundraising recipe calendar. The auctions close at 12:00 noon ET on Monday, November 10th, so place your bid today!
“Leave a Mark” blog auction - The Meaning […]

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Guest blogger and First Book supporter Mindy Klasky is the author of six fantasy novels, including the award-winning, best-selling The Glasswrights’ Apprentice and numerous short stories. Her latest trilogy, The Jane Madison Series, chronicles a love-struck D.C. librarian who discovers she’s a witch. Visit http://mindyklasky.com to learn more about Mindy’s work and her support of […]

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Guest Blogger Lydia Breiseth is the manager of the bilingual English-Spanish website Colorín Colorado, whose mission is to provide educators and parents with information about teaching English language learners to read and succeed. Ms. Breiseth began her career teaching English to adults in Ecuador with the educational exchange program WorldTeach, and has subsequently […]

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This year marked the 4th annual Halloween outing to Ben’s Chili Bowl- a Washington, DC landmark.
As in past years, the First Book staff paraded through downtown Washington, DC as all sorts of characters including the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Prize Patrol, Bumblebee, and none other than the girl detective, Nancy Drew. Good food, lots of laughter, and […]

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Flickr: Literary Halloween Costumes

Happy Halloween! Visit this Flickr group to see some Halloween costumes inspired by books and authors.

Candidates Name Their Favorite Books

Local literati rate candidates’ reading lists
Since Election Day is so close – I had to include some links about the candidates’ book choices.

“Leave a Mark” blog auction - Tantalize, by Cynthia Leitich […]

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What do you get when you mix one rainy day, 4 steadfast partners, 40 volunteers, 100 trash bags and 5000 books? A Make A Difference Day  that goes on, rain or shine.
 On Saturday, October 25, USA Weekend Magazine joined forces with Greater DC Cares ,  Washington Parks and People and First Book to make a difference […]

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The Tales of Beedle the Bard Contest

Scholastic is holding an essay contest for American children to win an all-expense paid trip to Scotland and attend an exclusive event with J.K. Rowling in December. The contest deadline is Thursday, October 30 – click this link for more details. I wish I were a kid again…
Schools, libraries […]

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