Program Also Supports the Children’s Literacy Nonprofit Organization, First Book -37 percent of 4th graders read below the basic achievement level; and -61 percent of low-income families have no books at all in their homes for their children. That is why Cheerios is putting five million free books inside boxes of cereal beginning this month, during its sixth annual “Spoonfuls of Stories” program. In addition, Cheerios is again working with First Book, an award-winning children’s literacy nonprofit. Through their financial support to First Book, Cheerios is helping to provide a year’s worth of children’s books to 50 reading programs serving disadvantaged children across the country. Families can support their children’s reading at home, and join Cheerios to make a donation to First Book to help get books to children who need them.