CLiF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire a love of reading and writing among under-resourced children up to age 12 throughout New Hampshire and Vermont.
CLiF arranges for more than 65 professional authors, illustrators, poets, graphic novelists, and storytellers to give inspiring presentations for children. These memorable events help kids get excited about books, stories, reading, and writing. CLiF holds nearly 1,000 events each year.
At almost every CLiF event children can select new, high-quality books of their choice from hundreds of titles. In some CLiF programs, children can pick at least ten new books of their choice over one year. CLiF also donates significant collections of new, high-quality children’s books to school libraries, public libraries, classrooms, shelters, affordable housing developments, and other locations where children and families may be found.
CLiF provides a wide variety of literacy resources, and support to parents, caregivers, and staff members at organizations that serve our target audience. CLiF also hosts periodic conferences for educators and librarians.
Learn More & Apply
Early literacy skills are one of the strongest indicators of a child’s future success. Yet more than two-thirds of fourth graders from low-income families in New Hampshire and Vermont do not read proficiently. Many have limited access to inspiring literacy programming and high-quality new books. CLiF’s programs aim to increase children’s enjoyment of reading and writing; provide access to high-quality reading materials that meet the interests of young readers; and give families, schools, libraries, correctional facilities, and other organizations the tools they need to encourage literacy skills.
Our ImpactCLiF has provided free and inspiring literacy programs and brand-new books to under-resourced children up to age 12 in almost 85% of the communities in New Hampshire and Vermont.
Please contact us if you’re interested in attending an event. Details may be subject to change.
The New Durham Public Library will kick off their Rural Library grant with a visit from Matt Esenwine at the New Durham Elementary School. Public and school librarians will also showcase the new books purchased for their libraries through the CLiF grant.
Simon Brooks will visit the Union Street School, a Year of the Book school for 2023-24, to tell stories and share his love of literacy. The school and public librarians will introduce students to their new collections. The Year of the Book grant provides $1000 worth of books to both the school and public libraries.
Ted Scheu will visit the Integrated Arts Academy, a Year of the Book school for 2023-24, to tell stories and share his love of poetry. The school and public librarians will introduce students to their new collections. The Year of the Book grant provides $1000 worth of books to both the school and public libraries.