Going strong since 2008
Since we began just 3 years ago providing books for children that have few or none of their own, we have assisted local public and private elements place over 40,000 age appropriate books into the hands of the children of Hampton Roads. We cover the region from York County in the North through Hampton, Poquoson and Newport News and South side to Norfolk, Virgina Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Isle of Wight, and Suffolk.
We have provided books to as few as 2 children in private home care locations; to Teen Centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Title One Schools with enrollment in the 100s; and to Mayors' Book Clubs placing thousands of books each month into the hands and homes of children. In our Winter 2011-2012 grant cycle we completed 11 grants of money and books. Pictured here is WHRO's Martha Razor loading the last of 1,500 books into WHRO's Raising Readers Van, the last of our recipients this cycle. |
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Honor the Mothers in Your Life
Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13, and you can honor her, and all the mothers in your life, by giving the gift of reading in her name.
Your gift will provide new books to children in need, and you can send a personalized e-card to let your mom know.
Your gift will provide new books to children in need, and you can send a personalized e-card to let your mom know.
If you serve children from low income homes, you are qualified to obtain age appropriate books to give to the children.
Get more information and register here.
Several of our Hampton Roads Recipient Groups applied for and received over 10,000 FREE books from the Book Bank distribution in September.
If you have difficulty registering, refer to the "Contact Us" page above.
Who can receive free books?
"First Book’s mission of creating a steady stream of new, age-appropriate books has been shown to nearly triple interest in reading within months."
- Harris, Louis. An Assessment of the Impact of First Book’s Northeast Program.
First Book - Hampton Roads' provides brand new books to children.
* A recent study shows that while in middle income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children.
* 80% of preschool and after-school programs serving low-income populations have no age-appropriate books for their children.
* The most successful way to improve the reading achievement of low-income children is to increase their access to print. Communities ranking high in achievement tests have several factors in common: an abundance of books in public libraries, easy access to books in the community at large and a large number of textbooks per student.
* 80% of preschool and after-school programs serving low-income populations have no age-appropriate books for their children.
* The most successful way to improve the reading achievement of low-income children is to increase their access to print. Communities ranking high in achievement tests have several factors in common: an abundance of books in public libraries, easy access to books in the community at large and a large number of textbooks per student.
Video credit: Josh Jones
