The success of First Book would not be possible without the help of our local and national partners. Recently, JetBlue and First Book celebrated JetBlue's entry into the Detroit market by supporting literacy in the community. Watch their story above. To support First Book in Colorado, click here.

Powerful Pages

First Book's success is due in part to partnerships with other organizations and businesses. This video demonstrates how this cooperation can impact the lives of children.

To learn how your business can help First Book-Denver Metro bring books to children in need, contact us at DenverMetro@FirstBook.org.

Do you know about Denver Book Exchange? The NW Book Exchange takes place Saturday, March 15 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the Oriental Theater in Denver. 

Here's how it works:

• 2:30 - 3:00pm: Drop off your books and receive one ticket per book donated.
• 3:00 – 4:30pm: "Shop" the book exchange and get one book per ticket.

It's just that easy!

Types of Books to Bring:

• Spanish & English
• Fiction and non-fiction
• Paperback and hardback
• Children's books (all ages)
• Gently used books only please
• Pretty please, no magazines or catalogs

There will be a storytime, plus snacks for the kids. Best of all, one book per household will be donated to Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and other local charities! This event is sponsored by some great local organizations, including our friends at Book Bar, Sour Grapes Design Studio, and Web501.

The Oriental Theater is located at
4335 W 44th Ave
Denver, CO 80212

For more information, email info@denverbookexchange.com or visit http://denverbookexchange.com/. 

There are lifelong effects when you help children learn to love reading. But we can see those effects in the short term as well. This video offers one theory about why students don't read what's assigned in class, and suggests that perhaps allowing students to choose their reading material will encourage them to read more. What do you think? Should students be allowed to choose what to read for school instead of assigning them to read "the classics"? Leave your comments below!

A Truckload of Books for Kids in Need

What does a truckload of new books for kids mean to teachers? Watch this video and let them tell you!

First Book President and Co-Founder Kyle Zimmer

Last summer, Kyle Zimmer of First Book addressed The American Federation of Teachers at a conference. Hear her speak about how more schools and community programs can access resources to support education for kids in need.

Youth Media Awards

The Youth Media Awards may not ring a bell, but if you read children's books you've surely see the Caldecott Medal or John Newbery Medal emblazoned on a book cover. Last month, the American Library Association announced the winners of its 2014 Youth Media Awards, which include the esteemed Caldecott and Newbery honors.

Some of the winners include:
** John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:
“Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures,” written by Kate DiCamillo, is the 2014 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.

** Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
“Locomotive,” illustrated by Brian Floca, is the 2014 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was written by Brian Floca and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

** Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
“P.S. Be Eleven,” written by Rita Williams-Garcia, is the King Author Book winner. The book is published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

** Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:
“Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book was written by Daniel Beaty and published by Little, Brown and Company, Hachette Book Group.

** Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:
“Niño Wrestles the World,” illustrated by Yuyi Morales, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner.  The book was written by Yuyi Morales and published by Roaring Brook Press.

** Pura Belpré (Author) Award honoring a Latino writer whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:
“Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass,” written by Meg Medina, is the Belpré Author Award winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.

** Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished book for beginning readers:
“The Watermelon Seed,” written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli, is the Geisel Award winner. The book is published by Disney Hyperion Books, an imprint of Disney Book Group.


To read the entire list of winners and honorees, visit http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/01/american-library-association-announces-2014-youth-media-award-winners.