Posts in category Podcast

First Book featured on Conversations LIVE! Radio

Oct14
2009 Written by Shailyn T.

Last Wednesday, First Book’s own Recipient Group Coordinator, Matthew White, spoke on Cyrus A. Webb’s blog talk-radio show, Conversations LIVE! The show gathers artists, authors and others in the literary world to speak on the topic of books, literacy and the joys of reading.  At First Book, Matthew supports First Book Recipient Groups, helping them register to gain access to new books. The interview focuses on the importance of First Book’s mission and discusses how to combat illiteracy in this technological era.

In the interview, Mr. Webb addresses the major issue of access to books at home and in the community, especially given the technological and other advancements made in our society. The power and necessity of books is a timeless issue, as Matthew shared a story from a recipient group in New Hampshire who received a shelf full of books from First Book, which not only increased the child’s education but provide countless moments of laughter and smiles. As Matthew said, “new books can help a child really dream of their future,” and First Book wants to make this a reality by providing new books to the children who need them most.

Thank you to Cyrus A. Webb and the team at Conversations LIVE! Radio for highlighting First Book and be sure to listen in to the full interview at Blogtalkradio.com.

Posted in Literacy - Tagged ,

Listen to this Funny Business!

Sep14
2009 Written by Nikki D.

funny_business“A joke isn’t a joke if you need to explain it,” notes Leonard S. Marcus, on his upcoming new release, Funny Business [available October 2009 from Candlewick Press].

“Even so, the hidden clockwork of comedy… has long been considered one of the great riddles of life.” A hilarious documentation on the genius of comedy, Marcus’ work shares advice from thirteen wily writers on the inspiration needed to make a reader laugh out loud.

First Book President Kyle Zimmer was honored to talk with Marcus, the esteemed historian of children’s literature, about the pearls of wisdom he uncovered from literary giants the likes of Judy Blume, Daniel Pinkwater, and Carl Hiassen. From using humor as a device to navigate life challenges like bullying or divorce, or uncovering the secret of why girls giggle to read about boys, Marcus traces humor as part of the children’s genre from the earliest roots of American storytelling. “American humor had its start in tall tales, [like Paul Bunyan], where the hero wakes up and drinks a whole river for breakfast,” Marcus laughs.

For any aspiring writers seeking acclaim as a funny man (or woman!) for Funny Business, Vol. 2, Marcus has some advice as well: “…trust your own voice. Everybody has a voice. I think there’s a tendency to think that writers have voices and that you, the undiscovered writer, don’t. But you do, and the closer you come to finding that voice, the more you have to say. I think it’s a great way to know yourself.”

To hear more about Funny Business, including what book got Marcus hooked, check out the podcast recording:

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Posted in Authors & Illustrators - Tagged , ,

First Book Podcast: Double Your Impact with the First Book Marketplace

Jul28
2009 Written by Matthew W.

Join Matthew, Erica and Chandler from the First Book Marketplace team for this special podcast to learn about all that is new with First Book Marketplace. This great trio will talk about the hundreds of new titles recently added to the First Book Marketplace site, highlight new titles for summer reading and shine the spotlight on a few award-winners and personal favorites.

Plus, you will also get a chance to learn about our new Double Your Impact promotion — an exciting challenge from the First Book Marketplace for First Book recipient groups to increase the number of books they distribute to the children they serve.

In addition to enabling Recpient Groups to double the impact of their local efforts, this campaign will also give them a chance to win* a personal telephone call and classroom/program read-aloud by a favorite children’s author. Children’s book icons Jon Scieszka, author of The Stinky Cheese Man and the Trucktown series, Judi Barrett, author of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and Mike Berenstain, author of The Berenstain Bears series, are just a few of the award-winning authors supporting this initiative by doing a telephone read-aloud event with winning programs.

Listen in using the links below.

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*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Ends 12/31/09. All purchases on the Marketplace must meet the $100.00 minimum order requirement to earn Sweepstakes entry. For Official Rules and alternate entry details, click here.

Posted in Books & Reading, Marketplace - Tagged , , , ,

First Book Podcast: Chris Van Dusen, Contributor to “Our White House”

May14
2009 Written by Jane K.

Chris Van Dusen recently sat down with the First Book staff to talk about his contribution to Our White House and other upcoming projects. Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out, a project designed by the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance and published by Candlewick Press, explores America’s rich culture and encourages young people to read about history. Over 100 authors and illustrators worked on the project including Chris Van Dusen. Throughout the podcast, Van Dusen explains how he chose to depict his favorite president by looking at old photos for inspiration. He was mesmerized by Roosevelt’s humor and his “great big toothy smile.” Van Dusen’s illustration captures the hectic household with children and animals storming down the steps.

In the podcast, Van Dusen also explains that his desire to become an author and illustrator came from his childhood in Maine and the meticulous detail of Robert McCloskey’s illustrations. Van Dusen has worked on 9 other books including the Mercy Watson series written by Kate DiCamillo.

Listen to the podcast with Chris Van Dusen below and discover his witty sense of humor and career aspirations. For more information, please visit http://www.chrisvandusen.com, and look for his new book The Circus Ship set for release in September 2009.

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First Book Podcast: Matthew Gollub author of “The Jazz Fly”

Apr27
2009 Written by Nisha T.

Matthew Gollub photoFirst Book recently had the pleasure of chatting with Matthew Gollub, children’s book author, performer, literacy consultant, musician, parent and publisher. Some of his most treasured titles include Gobble, Quack, Moon, and The Jazz Fly. As the winner of twenty national awards, Matthew has visited over half a million children from 800 different schools, wowing young and old alike with his skills on the drums and trilingual flair.

This is an author who certainly has amassed his share of frequent flyer miles. Join First Book as we travel around the world with Matthew, from Japan to Spain to Mexico, gathering an assortment of cultural treasures and hearing the stories that inspired him.The Jazz Fly jacket art cover

Listen in and you’ll discover Matthew’s passion for reading. You’ll also learn why Matthew says, “the best way to prepare your child for kindergarten is to read a thousand stories aloud,” and will hear his tips for inspiring all types of readers. Whether they are young, old, stubborn, or even struggling, he knows what gets people reading.

Listen below to First Book’s inside conversation with this dynamic author. To learn more about Matthew Gollub visit www.matthewgollub.com to purchase books, download literacy resources, audio clips, and more!

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Books & Reading

First Book Podcast: Peter Howe author of “Waggit’s Tale”

Jan26
2009 Written by Matthew W.

He is nameless. He is homeless. He is friendless. He is lost. Until he is found…by a team of mutts who shelter him and teach him how to survive the wilds of the city park. And so he becomes Waggit, the best hunter and tracker in the pack, and the dog with the most powerfully wagging tail. Waggit grows to love his team, especially its leader, Tazar, and his best friend, an old dog named Lowdown. But life in the park is dangerous and uncertain. In winter, food and warmth are scarce. Another team of wild dogs is a constant menace. And always, there is the fear of capture by park rangers. Waggit can’t help feeling that something is missing … something warm and cozy and … human. Then one day everything changes and Waggit must face a new threat and a new choice.

Peter Howe’s tale of an abandoned puppy’s search for a home is an exciting mix of humor, adventure, and suspense. Most of all, it is a story of how love can turn strangers into family. Thanks to HarperCollins’ Children’s books, we recently had the opportunity to talk to Waggit’s Tale author Peter Howe. Listen in on the conversation using the player below.

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Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Books & Reading - Tagged , ,

First Book Podcast: Heather Henson author of “That Book Woman”

Dec09
2008 Written by Matthew W.

First Book recently had the pleasure of speaking with That Book Woman author, Heather Henson.

Together with First Book partner Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, That Book Woman is being simultaneously released in hardcover to the general public and in a special soft cover format exclusively through the First Book Marketplace.

Click below to hear our conversation with author Heather Henson as we ask her about the historical significance of the Pack Horse Librarians, and the books that she would want brought to her by “that Book Woman.” She even has a special message for her young fans who may be listening to the podcast in the classroom after receiving the book from the First Book Marketplace.

This rare and moving tale honors not only a special part of American history, but present day American heroes like you that know how life-alerting a brand new book can be in the life of a child. We fell in love with Heather’s story and think you will too!

Posted in Books & Reading - Tagged

First Book Podcast: “Duck for President” Author Doreen Cronin

Nov24
2008 Written by Mary Beth F.

Best-selling children’s book author Doreen Cronin is seemingly everywhere these days!  She recently launched her newest book, Thump, Quack, Moo, in a marathon two-month book tour; and her book, Duck for President, is on grocery shelves right now as one of five Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing books that are being given away by Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories inside cereal boxes.  In addition, Duck for President was re-released with a new cover ahead of the 2008 presidential election, and was made into a play by a Chicago children’s theater company.

First Book caught up with Doreen for a short interview, made possible by Cheerios.  You’ll love this wonderful podcast with Doreen — as we find out about her books, her words on the importance of reading, and what she’s working on next!

(Photo: Andrew Gottesman)

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First Book Podcast: Tuck Everlasting Author Natalie Babbitt Chats With First Book!

Sep22
2008 Written by Jen W.

Our White HouseFirst Book recently had the pleasure of speaking with author and illustrator Natalie Babbitt , the author of the classic ALA Notable Children’s book Tuck Everlasting and Newbery Honor Book Kneeknock Rise, among many other titles for children. She is also a member of the board of directors of the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance, a non-profit organization whose primary focus is to make issues related to young people’s literacy, literature, and libraries an ongoing priority on our national agenda.

Click below to hear our conversation with Ms. Babbitt about the mysteries of her home state of Ohio, the joy of illustrating, and her latest work, “Seven From Ohio,” featured in the new book Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out just published by Candlewick Press!

P.S. Don’t forget — if you plan to be in the Washington, D.C. area on September 27th, don’t miss other contributors to Our White House when they discuss its creation at the National Book Festival on the Mall!

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Books & Reading - Tagged , , , ,

First Book Podcast: Mary Brigid Barrett Welcomes You to “Our White House!”

Sep09
2008 Written by Jen W.

Our White HouseAs some of our readers know, First Book’s office happens to be located just a few short blocks from what is perhaps one of the world’s most iconic homes, the White House. We’ve all seen images of it, but very few of us know what life is truly like for those who live inside.

However, Candlewick Press’ newest publication, Our White House: Looking in, Looking Out, finally guides us past the Secret Service and lets us inside for a detailed, close-up look at the incredible events and people that have helped make the White House what it is today. This read-aloud family anthology, which contains contributions of prose, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and art by over 100 celebrated authors and illustrators, was conceived by award-winning author and illustrator Mary Brigid Barrett, who recently sat down with First Book for a lively discussion about this multi-faceted book.

Ms. Barrett also just so happens to be the founder, president, and executive director of one of my favorite literacy organizations, the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance, a nonprofit organization whose primary focus is to make issues related to young people’s literacy, literature, and libraries an ongoing priority on our national agenda. All proceeds from the sale of Our White House will help support the work and programs of the NCBLA. (So go out and grab your copy today!)

And don’t forget — if you plan to be in the Washington, D.C. area on September 27th, don’t miss Ms. Barrett and other contributors to the book when they discuss the creation of Our White House at the National Book Festival on the Mall.

Click below to hear our conversation with Ms. Barrett about Our White House.

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Books & Reading - Tagged , , , ,
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