Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Teams Up with First Book to Bring New Books to Kids in Need

Authors & Illustrators in Action Aims to Connect Schools and Community Programs with Free and Low-cost Books

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), a membership organization of more than 20,000 writers and illustrators, has teamed up with First Book to launch Authors and Illustrators in Action, a new program for authors and illustrators to connect schools and community programs serving kids in need with free and low-cost books.

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"When it comes to getting books into the hands of children in low-income communities, First Book has a track record that no one can beat," said Lin Oliver, SCBWI's executive director.  "This is a win-win opportunity: our authors and illustrators care enormously about the children and young adults they visit with in communities around the country, and they see so many classrooms and students without books.  Through the Authors & Illustrators in Action program, our members will be able to connect those schools and children with free and low-cost books and resources available through First Book." 

First Book and SCBWI are officially launching the program at SCBWI's international conference in Los Angeles, Aug. 2 – 5.  

"Authors and illustrators understand the importance of books in children's lives better than anyone," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "We are thrilled to collaborate with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and their members to reach more classrooms and community programs serving kids in need."

First Book is distributing 4,500 books to kids in need to celebrate the partnership and to recognize the nine authors and illustrators who were named as SCBWI's 2013 Golden Kite winners and honor recipients. 

SCBWI members who have already been working with First Book include Walter Dean Myers, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature; Mo Willems, Linda Sue Park, Andrea Pinkney, Janet Tashjian and Jarrett Krosoczka. 

In addition to the Authors & Illustrators in Action program, First Book is also working with SCBWI on its first international "Inside Story" event at select independent bookstores this November. 

About First Book
First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 100 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada.  By making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education. For more information, please visit www.firstbook.org or follow their latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is the largest professional organization in the world for individuals writing and illustrating for children and young adults, with more than 22,000 members worldwide in over 70 regional chapters.  Members include creators of or contributors to children's literature, magazines, film, television and multimedia.   SCBWI provides for an exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers, and others involved in literature for young people, with conferences, market information, regional events, grants, speaker and award programs.  SCBWI is also a consolidated voice for professional writers and illustrators of children's literature the world over.  You can learn more at www.scbwi.org, or through the organization's Twitter or Facebook updates.

Contact:
Brian Minter
bminter@firstbook.org
202-639-0115

SOURCE First Book