General

How to Help Your Kids Cope with Quarantine

With many schools shut for the foreseeable future, children are now spending more time than ever at home. This can be challenging for parents who are unequipped for such an unusual task. Luckily, we have some tips and suggestions for keeping you and you child going. Start A New Project Starting a new project with … Continued

General

The Importance of Reading Bedtime Stories To Your Child Before Sleep

Once upon a time, there was a parent who had a child. For one reason or another, this parent didn’t read to their child. Why? We’re not sure. Perhaps that’s a different story – one that involves excuses like “being too tired” or wanting to binge-watch Friends for the eleventh time because they’re deeply unsatisfied with … Continued

Our history

General

After 20 Years, CLiF Has Just Begun

Twenty years ago this week the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) was born. Like all new nonprofits, we started small. Our first initiative was the Rural Library Program. We created it to provide collections of new, high-quality children’s books to rural public libraries in New Hampshire or Vermont that were struggling with limited resources, and that … Continued

General

The Gift of Reading

“I like how you can go on adventures without even leaving your house. You can travel around the world and learn new things.”    That is how a child who attended a Children’s Literacy Foundation Summer Readers event last summer described reading. To him, a book is full of adventures and new things to learn. … Continued

General

Forget the Kids, Time for Mom and Dad to Head Back to School!

As summer ends, we all begin to think about preparing our children for the school year to come – new backpacks, sneakers, pencils, and notebooks. You have double and triple-checked the list that you received in July – outlining everything that your child will need in the year to come, but you stop to wonder … Continued

CLiF Spotlight

Mothers and Kids: Togetherness

At CLiF, much of our work occurs behind the scenes. We spend many hours scheduling events, organizing logistics, communicating with coordinators who are on the ground in various communities throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. While we love what we do, nothing compares to hanging up the phone, logging off our email, and stepping out from … Continued

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General / CLiF Spotlight / Book Recommendations

May 16 Friday Links Library

Lots of news over the past two weeks! Here’s the roundup: First, happy Children’s Book Week! In the brilliant ideas department: Florida kids (and Salt Lake City, and a few others) with overdue books are allowed to read down their library fines–instead of having their borrowing cut off until they scrape together fees. Way to keep the library accessible to the … Continued

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General

Life, Kids, and Books: There’s an Acorn in the Dryer

There’s an acorn banging around in the dryer. Of course there is. That makes perfect sense. It goes along with the rest of it: the gobs and gobs of “art” stuck with magnets to the fridge, the Lego guy in my shoe, the missing checks and stamps that someone (and I know who!) used to … Continued

General

CLiF Spotlight: Celebrating Dear Friends’ Memories and Values

Above: CLiF Executive Director Duncan McDougall, left, and board member Dan Lynch, right, at the Summer Readers event held in memory of Richard Lynch in 2013. The photograph Dan holds is a picture of himself with his father. As CLiF’s Office Manager, I have the responsibility and privilege of processing the generous donations that come … Continued

General / CLiF Spotlight

Summer Readers Underway!

48 different children’s summer programs across Vermont and New Hampshire. 3,300 kids. Two free books per child. That’s a lot of books. No wonder the CLiFmobile just needed its shocks replaced. Rec program at the Barre Municipal Pool in Barre, VT From June through August, CLiF’s Summer Readers program visits lunch programs, low-income summer camps, and … Continued

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General / CLiF Spotlight

A Picture (of a poem) is Worth a Thousand Verses

I could start by telling you about the beautiful view of Lake Champlain from our corner table. I could then tell you about the endless performances, exhibits, and activities for kids taking place all day. I could tell you about the throngs of children – of all ages – gathered around our table eagerly awaiting … Continued

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General / CLiF Spotlight

Bellies, Babies, and Books. Oh My!

Amidst a sea of bustling children, adorable little ones in strollers and Ergo carriers, and mamas-to-be looking radiant and curious, Julia and I set up a table at the Good Beginnings First Annual Baby and Child Expo to talk with parents about reading to their children from the get-go. Good Beginnings of Central Vermont is … Continued

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CLiF Spotlight / How You Can Help

Portrait (and Portraits) of a Young Donor

Here at CLiF we feel lucky to have such a wide range of supporters. We receive donations from authors, educators, retirees, families, small businesses, and foundations, just to name a few. But it’s a rare and touching occasion when a young donor approaches us with an interest in supporting CLiF. That is precisely what happened … Continued

CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.

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