2018 has been a tumultuous year of alarming headlines and disasters of all kinds. Though perhaps less widely covered, it has also been a year of kindness, generosity, building connections, and discovering joys like reading and writing. We’d like to share some of our favorite moments from 2018.
In 2018, the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF)…
- Celebrated 20 years of inspiring children to love reading and writing! We marked the occasion with a fun, memory-filled gathering of many of our closest friends at the Montshire Museum in Norwich, VT.
CLiF’s 20th Anniversary Party at Montshire Museum in Norwich, VT - Welcomed new presenters Ann Braden, Randee Eddins, Karen Gross, Jon Gailmor, Chris Tebbetts, and Bruce and Hobbes to our stellar line-up of 64 VT and NH authors, illustrators, poets, graphic novelists, songwriters, and storytellers.
A young reader listening to Karen Gross (in giraffe costume) at Catamount Connections in
Bennington, VT - Held our annual Community Literacy Conference at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT, which brought together more than 130 educators from our past, present, and new Year of the Book schools. The day included a cartooning workshop with the Center for Cartoon Studies, making poetry with poet Rajnii Eddins, and a session on curating a diverse book collection.
CLiF’s Community Literacy Conference - Added a new “Revive Your Literacy” grant to supplement literacy efforts from past CLiF partners
A CLiF Revive grant sponsors Easter Eggstravaganza, complete with book treats, in Berlin, NH - Served families affected by substance abuse at recovery programs at Lund in Burlington, VT and Dartmouth Hitchcock in Lebanon, NH
- Added Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland, VT to our Children of Prison Inmates partners. Incarcerated parents at that facility had a discussion with CLiF storyteller Duncan McDougall about why reading with young kids is so important and tips for sharing books with kids. They then got to pick out new books for their children, grandchildren, or nieces and nephews. They wrote sweet notes like this one in them and CLiF sent them to their kids.
- Completed our three-year Strategic Plan outlining our goals through 2020.
- Completed “Reading is Fun” videos on the importance of reading with young kids and tips for sharing books with children.
- Held nearly 1,000 storytelling and book giveaway events for low-income, at-risk, and rural children throughout New Hampshire and Vermont!
Marilyn Taylor McDowell tells stories to kids at the Milan Village School in Milan, NH (a Year of the Book school) - Smashed our Summer Readers record by serving 10,829 kids and giving away 21,658 books at 178 storytelling events!
Duncan McDougall telling stories at Camp Greylock in Ferrisburgh, VT - Received lots of heartwarming thank-you notes like this one:
- Gave away $700,000 in children’s and young adult books.
Many thanks for your help in making this all happen! We’re looking forward to reaching even more children and families in 2019. We wish you all the best for a very happy New Year!
