HELENA — Over 500 first graders in Helena Public Schools are getting new hardcover books.

The hundreds of age-appropriate books published within the last year are given to students by the Helena Education Foundation (HEF) through their Fabulous Firsts program .

The foundation says the goal of Fabulous Firsts is to help “introduce students to the joy of reading, which serves as the foundation of their academic journey.”

This year, students will take home one of six selected books, including “I am Not Your Hat” by Lisa Bentley, “Don’t Trust Fish” by Neil Sharpson, and “The Bear Out There” by Jess Hannigan.

Each elementary school in the district is hosting a reading event where students receive their book and have it read to them.

Helena Education Foundation is about halfway through wi

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