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Posts in category First Book Events

Happy Friendiversary!!

Feb27
2013
1 Comment Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

Mo Willems celebrating Friendiversary with 2nd graders at Peck & First BookThe spirit of friendship and the power of reading were in full force at Peck Full Service Community School, a Title I School in Holyoke, MA, yesterday.

The school eagerly awaited the arrival of beloved children’s author and illustrator, Mo Willems: Elephant and Piggie posters decorated the hallways and windows of the school while the receptionist tried her hand at sketching the characters, and every available Mo Willems book was checked out of the school library.

Click here to see Mo celebrating Friendiversary!

As second-grade students entered the library to celebrate Friendiversary with Mo Willems himself, costumed Elephant and Piggie characters greeted the students at door. After a grand entrance, Mo read two of his books – There Is A Bird on Your Head! and I Am Invited To a Party! He then conducted a Q&A with the second graders who asked him all sorts of questions. “Why did you work for Cartoon Network?” asked one of the students. “Do you have a pet pigeon?” asked another.

Elephant & Piggie celebrating Friendiversary with Mo Willems, Peck & First BookMo then informed the second graders that they would each be taking home their very own Friendiversary book and the library erupted with deafening screams of excitement. Students immediately began opening their books, each of which were personally signed by Mo. Smiles were on every face and many were sharing and showing their books to friends.

Friendiversary doesn’t have to be celebrated in February, it can be celebrated at any time of the year! Here’s how you can throw your very own Friendiversary party:

  • Get Friendiversary books for the second grade students in your program.
  • Invite everyone to a party!
  • Read together with friends and celebrate Friendiversary, an annual celebration of friendship and reading.

At First Book, we love celebrating Friendiversary each year, partly because we love Mo Willems, but mostly because it’s one more way to get new, quality books into the hands of kids in need, and seeing those kids become excited readers is what we’re all about.

Happy Friendiversary!

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Education, Literacy - Tagged books, Elephant & Piggie, First Book, Friendiversary, Holyoke, Mo Willems

Help Second Graders Celebrate Friendiversary with New Books!

Feb13
2013
Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

For the third year in a row, our friend Mo Willems, beloved children’s author & illustrator, will be providing brand-new Elephant & Piggie books and activity kits to kids in need!

Friendiversary collection & activity kit available through First BookThe books and activity kits will go to second grade students in New Orleans, Springfield and Holyoke, Mass. (These places have special meaning for Mo; he grew up in New Orleans and now resides in Massachusetts.)

Mo’s Elephant & Piggie characters inspired First Book to create Friendiversary, an annual  celebration of friendship and reading.  After all, who better exemplifies the meaning of friendship than Elephant & Piggie?

You can help second-graders across the country celebrate Friendiversary on Feb. 26!  Click here to donate.

For every $33 donated, 10 second grade students will receive their own Mo Willems books and activity kits for the celebration.

Happy Friendiversary!

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, First Book Supporters - Tagged books, First Book, Friendiversary, Mo Willems, reading

15,000 New Books on the National Mall, Plus Celebrities, Cabinet Secretaries and Cute Kids

Jan21
2013
Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

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On Saturday, volunteers from across the country joined First Book on the National Mall in Washington DC to celebrate President Obama’s National Day of Service by providing 15,000 brand-new books to DC-area children from low-income families.

Click here to see photos of the event, including pictures of volunteers, political leaders, and even a few celebrities.

First Book was one of seven nonprofits featured at the event, highlighting the idea of community service in such areas as education, the environment and support for military families.

Each volunteer packed two books into a bag, and decorated bookplates with personal messages.

Screen shot 2013-01-21 at 1.56.04 PM

The books, including “Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Doreen Rappaport, were provided thanks to the generous support of our friends at KPMG, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, through its KPMG’s Family for Literacy program.

The bags will be distributed in the coming days to students throughout DC, thanks to First Book’s partnership with the American Federation of Teachers.

signing

Even if you weren’t able to join us on the National Mall, you can still bring new books to kids in need. Click here to donate to our National Day of Service Virtual Book Drive. Every $2.50 provides one new books to a child in need.

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Book Distributions, Books & Reading, First Book Partners, KPMG, Virtual Book Drives, Volunteers - Tagged #iserve, AFT, American Federation of Teachers, Chelsea Clinton, Doreen Rappaport, Eva Longoria, First Book, Inauguration Day 2013, kpmg, KPMG's Family for Literacy, Martin Luther King, Martin's Big Words, National Day of Service, National Mall, Obama, Washington D.C.

Why I Wanted to be An Author

Dec18
2012
Erica Perl Written by Erica Perl

First Book employee & children's author, Erica Perl does an author visitWhen I was a little kid, I wanted to be an author because I wanted to find one of my books on the library shelves.  Seriously, that was my dream: a big “PE” (for PERL) sticker on the spine and everything.  While I must confess that seeing my books on an alphabetized bookshelf still gives me a thrill, I now know that this is not the best part of writing for children.

The best part, hands down, is sharing my books with kids.

While some kids are fortunate enough to get to meet authors like Jeff Kinney and Suzanne Collins at book stores, festivals, and even their own schools, many kids are not so lucky.  And many schools and programs do not have the resources or budgets to bring in authors to visit and meet with their students.  Luckily, there are great organizations that work to bring authors and illustrators to kids who might otherwise never meet them.  And many of these organizations partner with First Book so every child in attendance receives a brand new signed book to keep.

For example, here in the greater Washington, DC area, there are several groups that facilitate author visits for programs and schools serving children in need.  For example, last month I had a great visit to Washington DC’s Garfield Elementary School with Turning the Page.  At this Community Night event, I got to lead a standing-room-only crowd of kids and parents in a spirited reader’s theater performance of Chicken Butt! First Book employee & children's author, Erica Perl does an author visit Last month I also had the pleasure of visiting Govans Elementary School in Baltimore with Write Brain Kids.  It was a huge treat to hear the fourth grade students try out their “Ace” voices as they chuckled over scenes from When Life Gives You O.J.  In addition to those two programs, I have worked with many Washington DC area programs including An Open Book Foundation, PEN-Faulkner’s Writers in Schools (WinS) program, and The Reading Connection.  Through First Book, authors and illustrators are able to connect with similar programs serving communities across the United States and in Canada.  Examples that come to mind include The Foundation for Children’s Books in Boston, and New York City’s Behind the Book.

Each program is unique in its format and age focus but all have certain things in common:  they serve schools and programs where a published author or illustrator is not someone the kids usually get to meet, they give kids books to call their own and they succeed in getting kids super-excited about reading, writing, drawing and books!

And one more thing: they all have as much of a positive impact on the authors as they do on the kids!

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Books & Reading, Education - Tagged Authors & Illustrators, books, Erica Perl, First Book, reading

And the winner is …

Nov15
2012
Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

This morning in Washington DC, First Book distributed our 100 millionth brand-new book.

This morning at Martha’s Table, an amazing community program serving homeless families in Washington DC, First Book distributed our 100 millionth brand-new book. (Check out this great story on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer.)

That’s not a typo. Since the organization was founded in 1992, First Book has provided 100 million brand-new, high-quality children’s books to kids in need throughout the United States.

We couldn’t decide what the actual 100 millionth book should be, so we let the people decide! Over 12,000 votes were cast in our ‘Ten Books Every Child Should Own’ contest.

And the winner?

“Green Eggs & Ham”, by Dr. Seuss!

Click here to see First Book's 100 millionth book on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer

Click here to see First Book’s 100 millionth book on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer

Kyle Zimmer, First Book’s president and co-founder, presented Chase-Kennedy Williams, age 4, with her very own copy of “Green Eggs & Ham”. Afterwards Kyle read the book to Chase-Kennedy and her classmates, after which they each got their own copy of the book to take home.

Watching Kyle give that book to little Chase-Kennedy was an incredible moment for everyone at First Book. The look on her face is one we’ve seen thousands and thousands of times when kids who have few or no books of their own are given a brand-new, beloved book of their very own, but we never get tired of it.

First Book staff with kids at Martha's Table in Washington DCMartha’s Table has a special place in our hearts here at First Book. Not only is it a terrific program that does an enormous amount of good for children and families in our home town of Washington DC, it’s where First Book was born twenty years ago, when Kyle, then a corporate lawyer volunteering in her spare time, realized that the children she was working with had no books of their own at home. She founded First Book, along with two friends, to ensure that those children, and others, would have access to the books they needed.

A big thank you is due to all the many partners and donors who help make our work possible, along with the heroic educators at programs like Martha’s Table across the country who are on the front lines every day. We couldn’t do it without you!

Okay, celebration’s over. Back to work. 100 million books is a whole lot of books, but there are plenty more kids out there waiting for us.

Want to help distribute the next 100 million books? Click here to get involved.

Posted in Book Distributions, Book Recipients, Books & Reading, Kyle Zimmer, Social Entrepreneurship, Success Stories, Volunteers - Tagged ABC World News, Diane Sawyer, Dr. Seuss, First Book, Green Eggs and Ham, Kyle Zimmer, Martha's Table, Random House, Social entrepreneurship, Ten Books Every Child Should Own, Terry Moran

A Million Dollar Shot – KPMG’s Chip4Charity

Oct15
2012
Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

Normally we at First Book spend our evenings reading award-winning children’s literature, of course, but tonight we’ll be glued to our TV sets for Monday Night Football, watching golf legend Phil Mickelson trying to make a $1 million shot at halftime.

If he makes it 100% of that money will go to First Book, and that means as many as 400,000 brand-new books for kids from low-income families. The challenge comes from our friends at KPMG, whose commitment to putting books into the hands of kids in need runs deep. It’s all part of KPMG’s Family for Literacy program and their new “Blue for Books” campaign, which has provided more than 20,000 new books since March.

At the game, Mickelson will stand in one end zone, aiming for a target in the other end zone. KPMG will donate a minimum of $50,000 to First Book (that’s 20,000 brand-new books), and up to $1 million for a bulls-eye shot. In the hands of a lesser golfer this might be a problem, but we’re not worried. Go Phil!

Phil Mickelson's million dollar shot for First Book

You can help KPMG and Phil get books to kids by donating to First Book. Every $2.50 pays for a brand-new book for a child in need. Or you can show your support through KPMG’s ‘Blue for Books’ campaign by buying Phil’s Blue Hat. For every hat purchased, KPMG will donate three new books. To learn more, visit philsbluehat.com.

Posted in First Book Partners, Philanthropy - Tagged Blue for Books, First Book, kpmg, KPMG Family for Literacy, Monday Night Football, phil mickelson, Phil's Blue Hat, San Diego

One Cake, Two Cakes, Cat Cake, Hat Cake

Jul02
2012
Erica Perl Written by Erica Perl

CAKE BOSS Buddy Valastro in his First Book hatGuess who has a supporting role in an upcoming episode of CAKE BOSS?  That’s right – First Book!  Newark Mayor Cory Booker and the Cat in the Hat worked alongside CAKE BOSS Buddy Valastro to help bring thousands of books to kids in Newark.  But concocting a culinary confection honoring the good Doctor is no small feat.  Did fur and frosting fly?  Did Cory Booker trade his usual Superman cape for the iconic striped hat?  Tune in to find out!  The episode airs tonight at 9:30 p.m. EST on TLC.

How did First Book end up in such esteemed company?  As regular readers of this blog will recall, First Book participated in a very special Read Across America celebration this March in Newark.  Working with some great local partners (like the Foundation for Newark’s Future, New Jersey After 3, and Anne Feeley), First Book helped the My Very Own Library initiative provide almost 60,000 brand-new books to students at eight Title I public schools in Newark.

In addition to receiving great books that they got to select themselves, the “icing on the cake” for the kids was a visit from Buddy Valastro and the team from Carlo’s bakery.  Buddy talked about Dr. Seuss and the power of reading and imagination before unveiling an amazing, multi-tiered, whirling Dr. Seuss-inspired cake that he and his crew dreamed up and created for the event.

First Book provided 60,000 new books to kids in Newark public schoolsWe think you’ll agree that the final creation was truly amazing.  And from being there to see and taste the final results, we can report that it was delicious.  The best part, though, was seeing the kids’ faces as they sat down with their brand new books and cake.  One child looked so excited we feared he was going to topple over!  Instead, he carefully sat down, took a bite, then opened his book and began to read.

If you’d like to support First Book’s work, volunteer in your community, or sign up your Title I school or local nonprofit to get new books, we’d love to hear from you.

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Book Distributions, Book Recipients, First Book Partners - Tagged Anne Feeley, Buddy Valastro, Cake Boss, Cat in the Hat, Cory Booker, Dr. Seuss, First Book, Foundation for Newark's Future, My Very Own Library, New Jersey, New Jersey After 3, Newark, Read Across America

20 Years. 90 Million Books.

May20
2012
Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

First Book Celebrates 20 Years of Bringing New Books to Kids in Need

Learn more about how First Book provides new books to kids in need, and how you can get involved, at firstbook.org.First Book Celebrates 20 Years of Books to Kids

Posted in Books & Reading - Tagged 20 years, anniversary, First Book, infographic

One Million Books in Just Ten Days: The Final Reckoning

Apr26
2012
Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

One Million Books in Just Ten DaysRecently, First Book promised to distribute one million brand-new books to kids in need across the country in just ten days.

Those ten days are up, and we are as good as our word. Better, even … altogether we distributed a little over 1.2 million books to the schools and programs in our national network. Woot!

25,000 of those books went to kids at Title I schools across Montana. Heather Denny, a Title I specialist in Montana who was instrumental in helping First Book distribute the books at a statewide conference of Title I teachers, emailed us this morning to tell us how excited her colleagues were.

Heather Denny, a Montana teacher, on First Book“It was amazing!” she wrote. “You should have seen the smiles on our teacher’s faces. We had a retiring teacher who worked in the book room all day because she wanted to see the young teachers coming in and leaving with boxes of books.”

If that doesn’t warm your heart, you are made of sterner stuff than we are.

First Book volunteers in MilwaukeeThanks to everyone who made this possible, from the hard-working volunteers who spent long, tiring days in warehouses to the generous publishers who provided the books to our nonprofit and corporate partners who provide the support needed, and especially to all the teachers and local program leaders who take these books and use them to turn kids into readers.

Want to get involved in our next amazing book distribution? Click here to sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you monthly emails sharing stories and letting you know how you can get involved in your community.

Posted in Book Distributions, First Book Partners, National Book Bank, Teachers, Volunteers - Tagged First Book, Heather Denny, Milwaukee, Montana, One Million Books in Just Ten Days, teachers, Title I schools

One Million Books in Just Ten Days: Minneapolis!

Apr19
2012
Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

One Million Books in Just Ten DaysFirst Book staff and volunteers are working overtime this week to distribute over one million brand-new books to schools and programs serving kids in need across the country.

This week, we have a team in Seattle, distributing 350,000 new books, as well as a team in Minneapolis, distributing half-a-million books to schools and programs around the country.

Over 200,000 of those books — donated by our generous partners at Random House and Disney Publishing Worldwide — are staying in the Twin cities area, going directly to kids at local schools and programs serving kids in need.

First Book at the Hmong International Academy in MinneapolisWe got the chance to meet some of those local teachers and students yesterday at Hmong International Academy. We also got to do one of our favorite things – give brand-new books to every kid at the school, and watch them sit right down and start reading.

One of First Book’s greatest challenges is connecting with the kids who need our help. Although there are 27,000 local schools and programs in First Book’s national network, that’s only a fraction of the people we’re trying to reach. So we rely on local partners, like the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, to help us get more educators signed up.

Ten Days, One Million Books: First Book on ABC5 News in Minneapolis“Members of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers have jumped at the chance to be involved in this partnership with First Book,” said Lynn Nordgren, president of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers. “So far, more than 350 teachers have registered with First Book, and about 140 requested books for their students.”

Many thanks to the hard-working volunteers and generous partners and donors who make these book distributions possible, and especially to the heroic teachers and program leaders who do the most difficult jobs, in Minneapolis and around the country, every day.

Want to learn more? Click here to sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you photos, video and some more ways you can get involved.

Posted in Book Distributions, National Book Bank, Teachers, Volunteers - Tagged books to kids!, First Book, Hmong International Academy, MFT, Minneapolis, Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, One Million Books in Just Ten Days
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