Publishers' Giveaways

What's one way to get competing children's book publishers in the same room? Recruit them to join a program that donates new books to children of low-income families.

First Book, a Washington, DC-based literacy organization, has launched a new online database that enables publishers to donate large quantities of books to pre-schools, public libraries, and other community-based organizations that cater to children. The First Book National Book Bank is the first national online donation and distribution system of its kind —publishers ship their books to donated warehouses throughout the country and First Book arranges the book distribution, says spokeswoman Elizabeth Matthews. Last year, First Book received seven million donated books.

"It's great to see otherwise competing publishers working together to get books to children in need," says Matthews.

Participating members include Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, HarperCollins Children's Books, Random House Children's Books, and Scholastic. Actress Joan Allen was on hand to unveil the new database at the New York BookExpo America on April 29.