It’s a busy time of year, with plenty of fall events and opportunities to consider, including four open CLiF grants! We’re actively seeking partners to…
CLiF Notes
Twelve rural public libraries in Vermont and New Hampshire were selected to receive the 2026-2027 Rural Library Grant, valued at approximately $8,000.
Executive Director Laura Rice reviews the progress made in four areas of priority for CLiF's 2025-2028 strategic plan.
CLiF has partnered with the Vermont Parent Child Center Network (VPCCN) to increase access to books and literacy resources for the state's youngest children.
Central to CLiF's programming is our investment in specialized writing workshops led by professional presenters, all of whom are skilled at drawing out…
In her role, Megan oversees donor relations, corporate partnerships, and fundraising initiatives that help expand CLiF’s impact across Vermont and New…
This year's contest challenged young writers to tell us a tall tale. Hundreds of kids answered our call to stretch the truth. Here are the winning entries.
Since the very beginning of CLiF’s work, we have emphasized investment in library books as enduring resources with the power to impact both organizations…
It's Children's Book Week, and we're celebrating with a Bookraiser! Help CLiF ensure that more kids in Vermont and New Hampshire have access to books this…
Celebrating CLiF's independent bookstore partners in Vermont and New Hampshire
Five public elementary schools in New Hampshire and nine in Vermont were selected to receive CLiF's $25,000 Year of the Book Grant, which is awarded annually…
Learn how some of our partners are using project-based and experiential learning to enhance literacy for their students this spring.
Welcome to CLiF’s 2026 Two-Sentence Story Contest! Open to all children 12 and under in Vermont and New Hampshire, this writing competition is designed…
As two of our longest-serving volunteers, Margaret and David Luce have many collective years of CLiF experience under their belts. Learn what inspires…
We want to offer special gratitude to the bookstores hosting book drives for CLiF this holiday season. Their generosity, and that of their patrons, helps…
It is with great sadness that we share that Jon Gailmor, beloved singer/songwriter and champion for children’s creativity, and dear friend to CLiF, died…
CLiF is pleased to announce the launch of our new Early Childhood Literacy Grant, created to expand equitable access to early literacy opportunities for…
Learn, connect, and share ideas at the 2025 CLiF Rural Library Conference. This free virtual event features expert speakers and practical strategies for…
See how CLiF’s Year of the Book grant brought hundreds of new books and storytelling to Boscawen Elementary School, inspiring young readers in rural New…
Join CLiF on a literacy road trip along the Connecticut River, delivering books, author visits, and engaging reading programs to rural communities.
Read insights on neurodiversity, inclusive literacy, and creating supportive spaces where all children can connect, grow, and thrive as readers.
Explore how inclusive language and neurodiversity aware communication help children feel understood, supported, and ready to learn through literacy.
Learn how positive agreements and neuroinclusive communication can help children feel valued, connected, and supported in literacy rich spaces.
Explore how trust, belonging, and neuroinclusive literacy practices help children feel safe, supported, and ready to grow as readers.
Discover how neuroinclusive literacy spaces remove barriers, support belonging, and help autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, and dyslexic readers thrive.
Earlier this summer, CLiF selected 12 public rural libraries–six in Vermont, and six in New Hampshire–as recipients of our 2025–2026 Rural Library program.…
Kathy Powell is an integral part of CLiF’s volunteer team, a rescue dog lover, and a lifelong literacy enthusiast. In high school, she wrote a rhyming…
CLiF presenter Simon Brooks is an award-winning British storyteller living in New Hampshire. He combines his passion for children’s literature and folklore…
Despite the current weather situation here in Vermont, this weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. Ah, summer. That magical time when your child’s…
Drum roll, please: At long last, we’re thrilled to reveal the results of the 2025 Two-Sentence Story Contest! This year’s contest challenged young writers…
Earlier this month, we gathered for one of our favorite annual traditions: the CLiF Community Literacy Conference. Now in its second year back in person…
This week, April 6–12, marks National Library Week, an annual celebration recognizing the vital role libraries play in our communities. The theme this…
Each spring, the CLiF team gathers to select recipients for our $25,000 Year of the Book grant during the following academic year. The decision is never…
Some of CLiF’s most impactful programming occurs at our Family Literacy events, where parents and caregivers get to join in the fun alongside their children.…
An important component of CLiF’s flagship Year of the Book program is the Momentum grant, a follow-up year of support designed to help schools sustain…
CLiF is excited to announce that eight projects across Vermont and New Hampshire have been selected to receive a Literacy Enrichment Grant for Spring 2025.…
Despite being one of our smaller grant programs, CLiF’s Spark grant plays an important role in helping our organization maintain and revive connections…
Discover CLiF’s 2025 Two-Sentence Story Contest and invite young writers to share an original love story in just two sentences.
Go behind the scenes of a CLiF book giveaway and see how thousands of free books reach children across Vermont and New Hampshire.
Explore how CLiF supports experiential learning with literacy-rich projects, from puppetry and zines to storytelling, art, and community engagement.
Explore CLiF’s visit to the Haskell Free Library, where storytelling, book giveaways, and summer reading crossed borders in a truly unique setting.
Discover the winners of CLiF’s Two-Sentence Story Contest and celebrate the creativity of young writers from Vermont and New Hampshire.
Explore the CLiF 2024 Writing Contest and inspire students to write, imagine, and express themselves. Find entry details and participate now.
Explore how dance and storytelling work together to strengthen literacy, creativity, and student participation in this inspiring CLiF program.
Read how Trevor Luce supports CLiF behind the scenes with technology, problem solving, and a strong commitment to children’s literacy and community impact.
CLiF’s heartfelt review of The Vanderbeekers Ever After, a moving story of family, friendship, and resilience.
See how music and collaborative songwriting help students grow as readers, writers, and communicators while making literacy learning more engaging.
Learn how to make storytime enjoyable with 10 family reading tips that support bonding, vocabulary growth, and lifelong reading habits.
Explore kid-friendly fall literacy activities that build reading and writing skills through storytelling, recipes, nature walks, and books.
Explore how books can help children cope with disaster, understand emotions, and build resilience after flooding and other difficult events.
Explore CLiF’s favorite Halloween books for kids, including funny, creepy, and classic stories that bring just the right amount of chills.
Explore a curated list of books featuring protagonists with notoriously bad luck. From Alexander's terrible day to the Baudelaire siblings' misadventures,…
Explore our Earth Day Reading List by Sarah Hall, themed "Invest in Our Planet." Discover engaging books that foster environmental literacy in children,…
From cherished tales like "Cookie Monster and the Cookie Tree" to mysterious, half-remembered stories, explore resources that help rekindle the magic of…
Explore the ups and downs of pandemic parenting with Sarah Hall's candid reflection. From homeschooling challenges to unexpected joys, navigate the complexities…
Discover how supportive adults can foster a sense of safety and encouragement, enriching both their lives and those of the children they mentor.
Help your child become a confident writer with practical tips from Erika Nichols-Frazer. Discover how to tackle common writing pitfalls, enhance creativity,…
Learn about Jon Gailmor’s creative journey and enjoy songs, videos, and literacy ideas that bring music and storytelling to children and families.
Unlock the secrets of successful drafting with Erika Nichols-Frazer's guide. Learn to support students in overcoming intimidation, sparking creativity,…
Escape the winter blues with our curated list of beach reads for all ages! From board books to middle-grade fiction, dive into tales of sun, sea, and adventure…
Discover how writing and reading can aid in healing trauma. Erika Nichols-Frazer explores the therapeutic power of self-expression through writing, offering…
NH cartoonist Marek Bennett explores history in the stick-figure adventures of teacher-turned-soldier Freeman Colby: My new graphic novel, The Civil War…
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…
The many advantages of reading have been well-documented. From exposure to a wealth of knowledge, to enhanced language skills, to improved understanding…
Helping reluctant and struggling readers may be the hardest, but perhaps the most important, reading-related issue for many parents. However, take comfort…
Children view the world quite differently than adults do. In order to cater to their needs and create a powerful bond, it’s important for parents to really…
The most fundamental definition of reading is being able to interpret written symbols and understand printed material. Like walking and talking, learning…
My first grade teacher, Mrs. A., told me I could be a writer. For a voracious young reader, this revelation was life-changing. I’d loved to read and make…
“My child is not a strong reader, and we’re struggling to find a book he will stick with. He’s easily discouraged, and he says he hates reading. Can you…
There are so many reasons to grab a book and read but here are our favorite!
If you have ever had a small child living in your home, chances are there are several Dr. Seuss books lying around. He is, after all, the best-selling…