WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To celebrate students going back to school for the 2026-2027 school year, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and the national nonprofit First Book are gifting 50 classrooms in 50 states backpacks filled with books and supplies. The backpacks will include the brand-new Dr. Seuss title “Sing the 50 United States!” as a special gift from Random House Children’s Books, the longtime publishing home of Dr. Seuss books.
Alongside copies of Dr. Seuss’s newly published “Sing the 50 United States!,” students will receive activity books, crayons, and the beloved book “The Cat in the Hat,” providing engaging reading experiences that inspire curiosity and a love of learning both inside and outside the classroom.
“As students head back to school, we're proud to partner with First Book to help classrooms across the country start the year with beloved stories, essential school supplies, and resources that support learning and growth,” said Susan Brandt, President and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises. “At Dr. Seuss Enterprises, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of reading. Together with First Book, we're expanding access to books and educational resources, helping more children and families discover the transformative power of reading during this important back-to-school season.”
While ongoing access to books is one of the most powerful drivers of literacy development, reading engagement, and academic achievement, in low-income communities, researchers have found as few as one book for every 300 children. First Book works to remove barriers to education and level the playing field for kids in under-resourced communities. The nonprofit has built a network of more than 600,000 members, the largest and fastest growing online community of individual educators, professionals and volunteers serving children in need. Through its research arm, First Book Research & Insights, First Book listens to educators and responds with the most relevant books and resources for children’s success and educator excellence.
“Starting the school year with beautiful books from Dr. Seuss not only fuels learning in classrooms, it makes children excited about reading, and it provides much-needed support for educators,” said Kyle Zimmer, First Book’s President and CEO. “First Book exclusively serves teachers, librarians, program leaders, and volunteers working in low-income communities, where schools and programs often have limited or no budgets for books. In member surveys, 93 percent of teachers said they pay for books and resources out of their own pocket – most spending hundreds of dollars every single year. This support from Dr. Seuss means the world – brightening classrooms, boosting literacy, and creating opportunities for children and families to fall in love with reading, with stories that they can enjoy together again and again!”
In addition to providing books to 50 classrooms across 50 states, on Sept. 9, representatives from First Book and Dr. Seuss Enterprises will be on hand to help distribute backpacks with the brand-new Dr. Seuss book, “Sing the 50 United States!” – as well as other favorite Dr. Seuss books, activity books, and crayons to welcome students at Noyes Elementary School in Washington, D.C. The celebration will include a special appearance by none other than The Cat in the Hat.
First Book is on a mission to support one million more educators and reach all the estimated 27 million children growing up in book deserts, removing barriers to education and increasing access to affordable and free books and educational resources. To connect those working or volunteering with children in under-resourced communities with First Book, go to www.firstbook.org.
About Dr. Seuss Enterprises
Founded in 1993, Dr. Seuss Enterprises is a global entertainment company. Our mission is to educate and entertain generations around the world by promoting and protecting the literary and artistic works of Dr. Seuss. We provide world-class content that drives joyful learning and creates hopeful futures. All Dr. Seuss Enterprises benefit charitable organizations that focus on causes such as education, science, health, animal conservation, and the arts. For more information, subscribe to our YouTube channel, visit DrSeussEnterprises.com, or follow us on Instagram.
About First Book
Education transforms lives. First Book is building a world where every child has access to a quality education. It works to remove barriers to education and level the playing field for kids in need. At the heart of its work are the 600,000+ members of the First Book Network, the largest online community of individual educators, professionals, and volunteers dedicated to supporting children living in low-income communities across North America. This Network is the key to creating lasting change. Through its research arm, First Book Research & Insights, it conducts studies that aggregate the voices of the Network to identify challenges, needs, and solutions. To address their needs, it provides free and low-cost books, resources and access to leading experts through the First Book Marketplace, which uses aggregated buying power to support their work. Founded in Washington, D.C. in 1992 as a nonprofit social enterprise, First Book is dedicated to eliminating barriers to learning and inspiring young minds. Learn more at firstbook.org.
Staci Harris First Book 314-602-1325 sharris@firstbook.org
