Video

With CLiF, I Can

Nobody inspires kids more than their fellow kids. That’s why we invited some bright young literacy ambassadors to share their perspectives on why reading rocks. Learn what they had to say in our new video, “With CLiF, I Can.“ Our thanks to Raised by Wolves Media for helping us bring this project to fruition! We’d … Continued

CLiF Grant Applications

CLiF’s 2024-2025 Rural Library Grantees

Twelve public libraries in Vermont and New Hampshire are recipients ofthe Rural Library grant awarded by the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF). This grant, valuedat over $7,000, provides new library books for the public and school libraries, literacyprogramming events, storytelling sessions, book giveaways and more over the course of the2024-25 school year.  “CLiF’s Rural Library grant … Continued

Year of the Book

CLiF’s 2024-2025 Year of the Book Schools

It’s an exciting time at CLiF, as we recently selected the 12 public elementary schools in Vermont and New Hampshire that will receive our flagship Year of the Book grant during the 2024-2025 school year. This grant provides each school with up to $25,000 in literacy resources, including in-person visits from professional authors and illustrators; … Continued

General / Writing / Literacy Activities

CLiF’s 2024 Two-Sentence Writing Contest

CLiF’s 2024 Two-Sentence Writing Contest is underway! This year’s theme is “Tell Us a Two-Sentence Story That Takes Place in the Sky.” Free to enter, and open to all Vermont and New Hampshire kids 12 and under. Prizes will be awarded to top entries. Submissions must be received by March 29.

General

Volunteer Spotlight: Trevor Luce

CLiF is incredibly fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers whose behind-the-scenes efforts boost our organization’s efficiency and function immeasurably. We recently sat down with Trevor Luce, the tech guru who generously serves as CLiF’s entire IT department, to ask him a few questions about his background with the organization, and what motivates him to volunteer.

CLiF team / General

Join the CLiF Team!

The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) is looking for a part-time finance coordinator to join our team! Perks include flexible hours, friendly co-workers, a brand-new office space with plenty of parking, bottomless mugs of Nespresso coffee, being part of an organization with an undeniably great mission, and much more!

Presenter Profiles

Simon Says: A CLiF Presenter’s Perspective 

Even though school’s still in session, CLiF’s summer programming is already well underway! Last month, CLiF presenter Simon Brooks kicked off the first event of the summer season, hosting a storytelling session and book giveaway at the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families’ Foster Care Block Party.

General

Turning a Page

In honor of founding Executive Director Duncan McDougall’s final day at CLiF, we are republishing the letter he penned for our 2022-2023 Winter Newsletter, graciously–as always–extending his thanks to the many friends and supporters of the organization he created. Today it is our turn to extend our sincere gratitude to Duncan for his dedicated leadership of CLiF over the last 25 years.

General / Writing

Announcing CLiF’s Two-Sentence Winter Writing Contest!

CLiF is pleased to announce our 2023 Winter Writing Contest, open to kids 12 and under who live in Vermont or New Hampshire. The challenge: In exactly TWO SENTENCES, tell us a story about winter. Entries must be submitted by email or postmarked by Feb. 28. Read on for more details.

General / Book Recommendations

What Are You Reading This Summer?

It should come as no surprise that the CLiF staff loves to read! After all, our mission is to share that love with all kids in New Hampshire and Vermont. And there’s no better time to read than summer, especially as so many social events and programs are either cancelled or online, giving us more … Continued

General / Year of the Book

The Year of the Book at Boscawen Elementary School

Authors, Illustrators, and Storytellers, Oh My! What do these things have in common? Well, they are all an integral part of the CLiF Year of the Book grant. Boscawen Elementary School in Boscawen, NH was one of ten schools across NH & VT that won this grant worth $25,000 for the 2018-19 school year. By … Continued

General

Standing up and standing out in the face of adversity

We’ve all seen famous figures standing up for what they believe in, making a difference, appearing powerful in their capacity to stand strong for a cause they support. But how can we pluck up the courage to face seemingly impossible obstacles and fight for justice? There is a wide range of inspirational leaders who have … Continued

General

A TRIBUTE TO CLIF’S VOLUNTEERS

I was lucky enough to be the Children’s Literacy Foundation 2018 summer intern. Unlike the typical intern you would see in pop culture, I don’t get the coffee. Instead I work behind-the-scenes doing program coordination, outreach, social media updates and administrative work. One of my favorite and most important jobs at CLiF is assisting in … Continued

General

1 Day, 6 Presenters, 9 events: Are You Ready for Summer Readers?

CLiF is taking on summer 2018 with our Summer Readers program. Summer Readers brings storytelling presentations and book giveaways to libraries, schools, camps, and more sites all across New Hampshire and Vermont. Watch this video to get a taste of CLiF’s Summer Readers program. This summer CLiF hopes to serve over 9,000 children and give … Continued

General

5 Ways Reading Can Prevent Loneliness

Americans are lonely. The rate of people feeling misunderstood and not heard is at an all-time high. In fact, a study that was conducted by Cigna in May 2018 showed that nearly half of the 20,000 Americans surveyed feel alone or left out.   In order to break away from the pattern of loneliness, people … Continued

General

The Man Who Planted Trees: Reflection of a CLiF Summer Intern

During my time at CLiF, Duncan McDougall lent me a short story called The Man Who Planted Trees, by Jean Giono. I developed the habit of reading to my sister before bed this summer and upon exhausting her extensive Junie B. Jones collection I convinced her to let me read Giono’s story. It only took … Continued

CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.

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