2013 Readers: Rachel Kessler

First Book Seattle is holding its 2nd annual 'What was your First Book?' fundraising read-a-thon on Saturday at Richard Hugo House (1634 11th Ave, Seattle) from 10am to noon on May 18th.

An exciting and eclectic group of Seattle celebrities will come together to read the first book they remember falling in love with.

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Rachel Kessler, Founding Member of Typing Explosion, Vis-a-vis Society and LOCCAL.

Rachel Kessler is co-founder of literary collaborations The Typing Explosion and Vis-à-Vis Society. Her poems have been published in Poetry Northwest, The Far Field, City Arts Magazine, and elsewhere. She teaches creative writing in public schools and in homeless shelters in Seattle.

Rachel will read "Mouse Tails" by Arnold Lobel.

2013 Readers: Julie Trout

First Book Seattle is holding its 2nd annual 'What was your First Book?' fundraising read-a-thon on Saturday at Richard Hugo House (1634 11th Ave, Seattle) from 10am to noon on May 18th.

An exciting and eclectic group of Seattle celebrities will come together to read the first book they remember falling in love with.

Buy Tickets Now

This week's featured reader is Julie Trout, 2012 Puget Sound ESD Teacher of the Year.

Julie Trout is an arts educator and arts activist that can sometimes be seen teaching upside down in her classroom. In her many years as a teacher in both private and public settings, Julie uses the arts to teach core subjects and as a way to bring communities together. She draws inspiration from social justice issues, spending time in nature, motherhood, music, and the many cultures and lives of her students. Julie is the visual arts teacher at John Muir where she often encourages students to make something out of nothing while reminding the rest of the world that art is a right that all our students deserve to have.

Julie will read "Mr. Pines Purple House" by Leonard Kessler.

Tickets Available for "What Was Your First Book?" fundraising read-a-thon

First Book Seattle is holding its 2nd annual 'What was your First Book?' fundraising read-a-thon on Saturday at Richard Hugo House (1634 11th Ave, Seattle) from 10am to noon on May 18th.

An exciting and eclectic group of Seattle celebrities will come together to read the first book they remember falling in love with.  Follow our blog to learn more about this year's readers.

Buy Tickets Now

All funds raised will go towards buying books for children who need them and your ticket price is tax deductible.

2013 Readers: Linda Neunzig

Linda Neunzig, owner of Ninety Farms.

On a 50-acre sustainable farm in Arlington, WA, Linda raises all natural grass-fed USDA beef and Katahdin lamb for Seattle area restaurants and local farmers markets.  Linda's passion for farming, sustainability and quality have received recognition from Slow Food USA, New York City Meals On Wheels 2008 Benefit, Gourmet Magazine and National Women's Chef and Restauranteurs Association.  Linda's passion has also led to policy and advocacy for farming as Linda is also the Agriculture Coordinator for Snohomish County.

Linda will read "When the Rooster Crowed" by Patricia Lillie, a book she read every night to her son Sam who will join us at our May 18th event.

On May 18th from 10:00-12:00, First Book-Seattle will hold it's 2nd annual "What Was Your First Book" read-a-thon at Richard Hugo House (1634 11th Ave, Seattle 98122). An exciting and eclectic group of community leaders will come together to read their favorite book and help us raise funds to buy books for children in need.

2013 Readers: Anna Banana Freeze

Anna Banana Freeze, performer/instructor/creator with Massive Monkees.

Anna spends her time balancing motherhood with the demands of performing, instructing and creating with the award-winning group, Massive Monkees.   Anna recently created the Mini BREAKS breakin' program for children 2-6, is making a b-girl documentary and also returning to her DJing roots.  Her goal is to share hip-hop with people of all ages and social backgrounds with the hope of sharing the empowerment, self-awareness, creativity and community she has received from her involvement with hip-hop.

Anna will be reading "Elephants Cannot Dance" by Mo Willems.

On May 18th from 10:00-12:00, First Book-Seattle will hold it's 2nd annual "What Was Your First Book" read-a-thon at Richard Hugo House (1634 11th Ave, Seattle 98122). An exciting and eclectic group of community leaders will come together to read their favorite book and help us raise funds to buy books for children in need.

2013 Readers: Jennifer Warnick

Jennifer Warnick, Rat City Rollergirls Founder

Jennifer Warnick is a Seattle writer who loves to read and still gets in trouble for staying up past bedtime to finish a good book.  Jen is a Rat City Rollergirls founder, playing as Shovey Chase from 2005-2012.  She love traveling far and wide and returning to her beloved city, playing and watching sports, making and watching movies, clever turns of phrase, Chopin and AC/DC, sliced avocados, clean laundry, sushi, sunny days, Boston terriers, barbecues, front porches, flibberdigibbits and toast.

Jennifer will read "More Bears!" by Kenn Nesbitt.

On May 18th from 10:00-12:00, First Book-Seattle will hold it's 2nd annual "What Was Your First Book" read-a-thon at Richard Hugo House (1634 11th Ave, Seattle 98122). An exciting and eclectic group of community leaders will come together to read their favorite book and help us raise funds to buy books for children in need.