First Book Network
The First Book Network is made up of more than 600,000 individual educators, professionals and volunteers who exclusively serve kids in need.
Join for FreeSlide 1 of 4: Star Wars Reads
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Star Wars Reads
Disney Publishing is collaborating with First Book to provide 500 eligible* educators with a $100 gift certificate to purchase books from the First Book Marketplace, along with the free Star Wars Reads Educator Toolkit!
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Dr. Seuss & First Book Celebrate Back-to-School
First Book and Dr. Seuss Enterprises are helping students start the school year strong by providing books and school supplies to 50 classrooms in 50 states. This includes Dr. Seuss’ brand-new book, Sing the 50 United States! - a special gift from Random House Children's Books.
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Introducing Story Showdown!
Get ready for Story Showdown, a virtual game show featuring award-winning children's authors competing in creative, reading-inspired challenges. Created by First Book and One Word At a Time, educators can attend live or watch on demand through the First Book Community Platform.
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Support First Book
Millions of children from low-income areas don’t have the tools they need to learn. You can help us reach more children and educators.
Make an impact today
89% of members believe the access to books and resources from First Book helps close the achievement gap for kids served.– First Book Member Survey, 2024
75% of members believe that after distributing books from First Book, there was an increase in kids’ reading performance.– First Book Member Survey, 2024
67% of members believe that without First Book, the kids in need they serve would have very few or no new books.– First Book Member Survey, 2024
97% of members believe First Book allows them to reach more kids with their programming by helping stretch dollars further.– First Book Member Survey, 2024
86% of members believe that after distributing books from First Book, there was an increased interest in reading among the kids they serve.– First Book Member Survey, 2024
Our Commitment to Educators
At a time when the future of education in the United States faces profound uncertainty, our commitment to educators and the children they serve, remains unwavering.
We are deeply troubled by efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, along with recent budget cuts that disproportionately harm low-income families. These include reductions to essential programs like SNAP benefits and school meal services that millions of children rely on to thrive inside and outside the classroom.
Our mission – to ensure every child has access to a quality education regardless of background or zip code – is more urgent than ever.
Our network of over 600,000 educators, program professionals, and volunteers is at the heart of this movement! We remain dedicated to providing high-quality books and resources at little or no cost, amplifying your voices, and advocating for educational opportunities for all. We will continue to listen, stand with you, and push forward together to ensure every child has the chance to succeed.
Thank you for everything you do.
Resources and Support for Educators Navigating Difficult Times
As communities throughout the nation face unprecedented challenges, we know that many of our First Book members and the children they serve can be deeply affected.
First Book stands with you, as you work to provide a safe space for children to learn. We see the challenges you are facing, and we remain dedicated to doing everything we can to support you including providing resources and tools such as our free Trauma Toolkit, Taking Care, and Empathy in Action guides to provide expert insights for you and your students.
We are sending heartfelt strength and comfort to all in this time of tremendous challenge.
Our Mission
We envision a world where every child has access to a quality education.
Because education transforms lives.
- •We level the educational playing field for children in need.
- •We’re on a mission to ensure that all children, regardless of their background or zip code, can succeed and reach their full potential.
Our Impact
First Book reaches 6.5 million kids each year in low-income communities across North America through a powerful network of more than 600,000 individual educators, professionals and volunteers specifically working with children in need.
Over 32 years, First Book has distributed more than 250 million high-quality books and educational resources to support kids, and the educators who serve them.
600,000
Individual Educators in Our Network
250 Million
Books & Resources Distributed
6.5 Million
Children Served Annually
Our Model of Change
First Book is a nonprofit working to remove barriers to quality education for children living in low-income communities. We are passionate supporters of individual educators, professionals and volunteers who serve kids in need. We pride ourselves on having business minds and non-profit hearts. First Book is dedicated to breaking down the barriers to a quality education by increasing access to evidence-based best practices, books, and resources in low-income communities. And First Book is a bridge-builder, collaborating with public and private partners, translating best-in-class expertise into educational resources to support learning for children in need.
First Book Marketplace
The First Book Marketplace provides 24/7 access to high-quality, new books, and educational resources at deeply discounted prices to First Book’s network of individual educators, professionals and volunteers working with kids in low-income communities.
Shop the Marketplace
First Book Research & Insights
First Book Research & Insights conducts qualitative and quantitative research, providing essential insights that guide the field and helps us identify what students need to overcome learning barriers.
Learn More about First Book Research & Insights
First Book Accelerator
The First Book Accelerator turns our cutting-edge research into expert-informed, actionable teaching tools — in weeks rather than decades — so our members don’t have to wait for the latest evidence-based strategies that will help the kids they serve.
Explore Our ResourcesFeatured Partners
Dedicated partners help us create even more opportunities for educators and kids in need.
This is one of the best organizations I have ever worked with in my many years in education and library services. The vast knowledge, resources, and opportunities that First Book provides are superb.First Book USA Supporter
