First Book

Founded in 1992, First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise building a world where all children have access to a quality education. We are on a mission to ensure that all children, regardless of their background or zip code, can succeed by removing barriers to equitable education because education transforms lives.

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Contact Us

  • Membership and Eligibility FAQs
  • help@firstbook.org
  • 1-866-READ-NOW
  • 1319 F Street NW, Suite 1000
  • Washington, DC 20004
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New to First Book?

Join us to connect with thousands of fellow educators and access exciting educational events and resources for you and your students.

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Slide 1 of 4: Reimagining Libraries Through Play
Graphic promoting the Playful Libraries virtual event from LEGO Group and First Book, featuring three speakers, event title, Build the Change branding

Reimagining Libraries Through Play

As part of the ongoing collaboration between First Book and the LEGO Group, this free virtual event highlights how learning through play can help students explore, create, and thrive.

RSVP Today
Dr. Seuss

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.

Read the Press Release
Join the First Book Network Join our Network

Celebrating Our Impact: 600,000 Educators & 250 Million Resources!

Join us as we celebrate reaching over 600,000 educators and program leaders and distributing 250 million books and educational resources to low-income communities. Together, we’re impacting 6.5 million children every year.

Join our Network
Support First Book Make an impact today

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
Graphic promoting the Playful Libraries virtual event from LEGO Group and First Book, featuring three speakers, event title, Build the Change branding
RSVP Today
Dr. Seuss
Read the Press Release
Join the First Book Network Join our Network
Join our Network
Support First Book Make an impact today
Make an impact today
First Book Research & Insights
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.

Our Commitment to Educators
Resources and Support for Educators

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.

Learn more about Resources and Support for Educators Navigating Difficult Times

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.
Support our mission

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
Download Our 2022-2023 Impact Report
Pattern background

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 Network

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 Free
First Book Marketplace

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

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

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 Resources

Featured Partners

Dedicated partners help us create even more opportunities for educators and kids in need.

Education Healthcare public services
Audemars Piguet
DDs Discounts
Walt Disney
GM
KPMG
New York Life Fundation
PRH GlobalCorporate
Lego
See all partners
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