CLiF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire a love of reading and writing among low-income, at-risk, and rural children up to age 12 throughout New Hampshire and Vermont.
CLiF arranges for more than 60 professional authors, illustrators, poets, graphic novelists, and storytellers to give inspiring, in-person 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.
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Early literacy skills are one of the strongest indicators of a child’s future success. Yet, more than two-thirds of low-income fourth graders 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 enjoyment of reading and writing for low-income, at-risk, and rural kids in the Twin States, provide access to high-quality reading materials that meet children’s interests, and give families, schools, libraries, and programs the tools they need to encourage literacy skills.
Our ImpactCatch up with our latest featured posts from our blog
Since April, we’ve been offering a weekly virtual storytelling series for kids, featuring CLiF’s amazing storytellers, authors, and illustrators. Now, we’ll be offering a virtual book club for grown-ups, too! Many of the 68 Vermont and New Hampshire authors/storytellers we work with also write for adults. This will be an opportunity to dig into the … Continued
The process of writing begins before you actually put pen to paper (or words on a screen). Many people find “pre-writing” helpful, notes or an outline to help guide their writing. Some prefer to just jump in and start writing and see what happens. There’s no “right” way to go about writing. Some kids are … Continued
Year of the Book / CLiF Spotlight
Enosburg Falls Elementary School in Enosburg Falls, VT has had a busy school year so far. In September, they kicked off their CLiF Year of the Book with storytelling by Duncan McDougall, their first book giveaway where kids chose new books for themselves, and a family literacy event featuring author David Martin and two more … Continued
CLiF staff and presenters are saddened that COVID-19 means we can not visit schools, libraries, and out-of-school-time programs to complete our exciting grants. Instead, we offer your students the chance to interact live with our presenters from home. For five weeks starting May 5, each Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. EST, we will have an opportunity … Continued
When you want your child to learn something new, the most important thing is to show him that the learning process will be interesting and engaging. Forcing your child to write and driving him into a rigid framework can result in a lack of interest/engagement in writing. For a preschool child, these are all abstractions … Continued
As a writer, I fail. A lot. Since January, I’ve submitted 116 times and gotten 69 rejections. But I’ve also gotten five acceptances, including winning Noir Nation’s Golden Fedora fiction prize, told extremely personal and difficult stories in HuffPost and OC87 Recovery Diaries, and got an Honorable Mention from Glimmer Train. In short, I’m doing … Continued
General / Book Recommendations
Getting your kid tucked into bed without any fuss can be an uphill battle some nights, and getting them to stay asleep can be even more of a struggle. If you want to make bedtime run a little smoother, try incorporating a nighttime routine into your regular evening schedule to help your child wind down … Continued
According to studies, children who work out are more likely to do well in their studies. Read on to learn how exercise can benefit your child, both physically and mentally, and how you can encourage your child to exercise. Boost Your Child’s Concentration with Exercise At school, every day, kids are dealing with a number … Continued
Front Porch Forum doesn’t just help you find your lost dog or that bunk bed you desperately need for your kids. In my case, it found me a summer internship.
CLiF has provided free and inspiring literacy programs and brand-new books to low-income, at-risk, and rural 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.
Conway Elementary School will kick off their Year of the Book grant with an outdoor visit from Duncan McDougall.
J.J. Flynn Elementary School's Year of the Book kick-off event will be Thursday, September 17 for in-person learners day students and, Friday, October 2 for the other half.
8:30-9:00- 4th & 5th grades
9:15-9:45- 2nd & 3rd grades
10:15-10:45- K & 1st grades
Duncan McDougall, CLiF director, will present from the tent and students will sit outside of the tent socially distanced.
Geroge Peabody Library will wrap up its CLiF Rural Library grant with poetry by Ted Scheu. Ted will first visit with the preschoolers from town before K-6 students from the Thetford Elementary School. Earlier in the day, each student will select two new books to bring home and to celebrate summer reading season. 10:30 am at PK; the first school presentation at 1:15 and the second at 2:00.