First Book Blog

Fabulous Personalized Gifts for Kids (that help First Book as well)

Jane K. — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:17:18 +0000

If you are looking for an extraordinary holiday gift for a child in your life, check out I See Me! (www.iseeme.com). Their personalized children’s books and gifts are outstanding. I have given several books as gifts for new parents and for kids’ birthdays, and they were huge hits.

Even better, when you use First Book’s special code — FSD11435 — you get FREE SHIPPING and First Book will get a $10 donation. Everyone wins!

Check out I See Me’s new “World According To ________” kit. It’s a great way to create a personalized book that captures a child’s own view of the world at this stage of life.

To view other products benefiting First Book this holiday season, check out www.firstbook.org/shop.

Celebrate the holiday spirit!

Rose C. — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:48:54 +0000

Dear First Book, I had a birthday party and instead of presents everyone donated money to you. My name is Nisha

Follow Nisha’s example! Ask friends and family to join you in celebrating the spirit of the holidays by raising funds to give new books to the children who need them most.

Learn how you can help through Books for Kids, Books for Keeps here.

Start a Story

Rachael Walker — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:46:44 +0000

Guest Blogger Rachael Walker is the Outreach Consultant for Reading Rockets, a national multimedia initiative which aims to inform and inspire parents, teachers, childcare providers, and others who touch the life of a child by providing comprehensive, accessible information on how to teach kids to read and help those who struggle. Rachael began her career in literacy outreach at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), has also served as a consultant to the NEA’s Read Across America campaign, and was most recently the Executive Director of Reach Out and Read of Metro DC.

Families are a hot topic these days. A new First Family is getting ready to move into the White House. More and more families are struggling to make ends meet. And as the holidays approach, there’s lots of advice out there on how to celebrate with family and friends.

Family and Friends is also the featured booklist on Reading Rockets this month. When I saw this great list, it really got me thinking about family. One listed title, Black Is Brown Is Tan by Arnold Adoff, is one of my favorites. It’s a simple poem, warmly illustrated, that depicts the harmony and love in a family. What I like about it so much is that it gives you a chance to think about what each person brings to a family.

My oldest son recently said to me that he was just “different” from the rest of our family—that he had different interests and found fun in things that we didn’t. This tells me he probably has a different perspective on our family life—one that I’d like to hear more of.

So, in honor of Thanksgiving, I’m going to suggest to my family that we be thankful for the time we’ve spent together and start a story-telling tradition to remember and share the stories of our family. The Call of Story website has some interesting activities to unearth family stories that we may try or maybe we’ll just keep this thought from The Call of Story in mind:

“Every life is a story, and life begins in families.”

Help Provide More Books through the Combined Federal Campaign

Katie B. — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:08:56 +0000

This holiday season, First Book is once again participating in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign providing federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.

If you are a Federal civilian, postal or military employee, please consider making a pledge to support First Book (CFC #10189) to bring the gift of reading to children in need this holiday.

Pledges can be made for CFC campaign season now through December 15th. Find a CFC fair near you, or make your pledge online today.

Cats, Cupcakes and an amazing book tour

Laura Numeroff — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:46:44 +0000

Guest blogger, Laura Numeroff, is the bestselling author of well loved children’s titles in the “If You Give…” series. She took a few moments from her current tour to tell us about her latest work, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake. To learn more about Laura, her books and her current tour, visit lauranumeroff.com or mousecookiebooks.com.

Holy cupcakes! Right now I’m on a book tour for my latest book in the “If You Give…” series, illustrated by Felicia Bond, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake. It’s a five-leg, fifty-day tour. Yes, you read that right: FIFTY DAYS! So far, I’ve been to New York, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina, and Missouri, and this is just the beginning…

It’s overwhelming, (but incredible) to meet SOOOOOOOOO many people who enjoy my books. (Most writers like to stay at home and work, so you never really know how big your audience is unlike, say, Madonna.) I love hearing that some kids have memorized my books, that parents don’t mind reading them over and over, and that teachers use them in their classrooms. What’s really weird is hearing, “I grew up on your books!” and then looking up to see a thirtysomething standing there!

Even though touring is exhausting, the rewards make it all worthwhile. One little boy said it was the best day of his life. And an adorable girl bought two copies of If You Take a Mouse to School, just in case she lost one! Also, I’ve been told many times that my books resonate with autistic children - that means more to me than being on a bestseller list.

I’m especially thrilled that the “If You Give…” series is doing so well, because I donate a portion of my proceeds to this fantastic organization. I love the fact that children who have never owned a single book can now enjoy reading one of their own.

Well, I’ve got to go pack. I’m off to Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky. Oh, and Las Vegas, Mississippi, Louisiana…

I’m betting that I’m going to be very tired by the end of the tour. But meeting my readers makes it well worth the trip!

Rose’s Reading Round-Up

Rose C. — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:38:43 +0000

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 ever thought of writing a novel but never started. It’s not too late to sign up for the challenge!

Novels ‘better at explaining world’s problems than reports’

A study concludes that best-selling novels help people understand global issues better than academic reports.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go - “Leave a Mark” blog auction

This week, Shooting Stars Mag is featuring a marked up copy of Dr. Seuss’ classic book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go. Bids are accepted online through Wednesday, November 19.

READ with First Book

Jane K. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:01:23 +0000

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 gear to mugs, you can find something for everyone on your list. Support literacy, while giving a great gift to a loved one. Remember portion of proceeds from these products benefit First Book.

Check out the READ products and others supporting First Book this holiday season. Please visit www.firstbook.org/shop. Happy shopping!

Bring The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Your Home

Tonya S. — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:52:29 +0000

We recently got an email sharing a creative fundraiser being hosted locally by the First Book-Deschutes County, OR. To raise funds and provide more new books to kids in their community, the Advisory Board is raffling off this beautiful The Very Hungry Caterpillar quilt along with the book and DVD.

The designer quilt was handcrafted and donated by two local volunteers. Made of cotton, the quilt is 42″ by 60″ and is the perfect size for a coverlet on a child’s bed or a wall hanging. The Advisory Board is selling raffle tickets now through December 18th for $1 per ticket or 6 tickets for $5.

To purchase a raffle ticket or to learn more, contact First Book-Deschutes County at deschutescounty_or@firstbook.org.

KPMG’s Family for Literacy Impacts a Newark Public School

Jane K. — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:42:53 +0000

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. Please check out the great article in The Star-Ledger!

Thanks again KPMG-Short Hills for making this event such a success!

Volunteer at a First Book Distribution

Andy W. — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:06:11 +0000

First Book is looking for volunteers like you to help us distribute books to children in need through our National Book Bank distributions. We conduct book distributions throughout the year in cities and towns across the country. Distributions typically last 1-4 days and volunteers are needed for all or any part of that time. All of the books we distribute go to children from low-income families – and for some, these may be their first new books. By volunteering, you will not just be fighting illiteracy, but truly making strides to end it.

VOLUNTEER ROLES:
Volunteering at a book distribution is a rewarding experience for both individuals and groups. Distributions usually take place in a large warehouse, where books are sorted, picked up by recipient groups, and prepared for shipping.

Much of the help needed is physical labor, such as lifting, carrying and sorting boxes. We also need help with less physical tasks, such as labeling boxes and greeting recipient groups. Closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes that can get dirty are a must.

Want to see what a book distribution looks like? Watch a video from our distribution in Appleton, Wisconsin earlier this year:

CONTACT US:
If you are interested in volunteering at a First Book distribution, please email your name, location, and contact information to fbnbbvolunteers@firstbook.org.

We will only send you volunteer opportunities targeted to your geographic area. As more information becomes available on the dates and locations of specific book distributions across the country, we will continue to post it on the blog!