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.

“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:

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.

*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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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)

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!

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.