Articles by Erika Nichols-Frazer
I have a Friday morning routine. I get up, pour a cup of coffee that my husband has left for me, and sit down at my computer. I open the Google doc to see my student’s (let’s call them “E.”) most recent progress on their novel (they usually make changes by Thursday, so I can … Continued
“Our students come from poverty and trauma so we try to offer experiences that enrich their lives and this grant seems a perfect way to expand our offerings. We would benefit by having the opportunity to involve our students in activities that expose them to the wide array of reading experiences through books and authors. … Continued
CLiF couldn’t do what it does without the 65+ amazing authors, illustrators, and storytellers we send to schools, camps, afterschool programs, libraries, shelters, affordable housing communities, and many more spaces where kids spend time. We’re proud to have award-winning author Sandra Neil Wallace as one of those inspiring presenters. We asked Sandra about her experiences … Continued
As the year winds down and we prepare to celebrate the arrival of 2020, we took a look back at what we accomplished this year (spoiler alert: It’s a lot!). In 2019, CLiF held roughly 900 literacy events – including storytelling/author visits, family literacy dinners, writing workshops, field trips, and book giveaways – with attendance … Continued
At CLiF, we’re all about inspiring and celebrating a love of reading and writing, so it should come as no surprise that the CLiF team and families love to read! If you have the time to pick up a book this holiday season, here are a few of our favorites that we read in 2019. … Continued
Yesterday was #GivingTuesday, a day to take a break from all the holiday shopping and give back to the causes that are most important to you. We asked our supporters to donate new books to the children of incarcerated parents who we serve through our Children of Prison Inmates program. We’re donating beautiful new books … Continued
It’s #GivingTuesday, a day to take a break from all the shopping and chaos of the holidays and give back to causes that matter to you. This year, we’re raising $2,000 to provide new books for children with incarcerated parents at our partnering prisons’ holiday events, and we need your help! Imagine being a child … Continued
As we gather to give thanks with our friends and families this week, we’re thankful for something else, too – you! Your support and championing literacy for all kids makes what we do possible. Each year we serve many thousands of kids in need and give away more than $750,000 in new children’s books – … Continued
We know literacy is important. But how do we help encourage early literacy skills in the kids most at-risk of falling behind? CLiF’s programs emphasize a love of reading and writing and encourage children and families to do it more often, while providing support and resources. All of CLiF’s program include a professional storyteller getting … 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
Research shows that early literacy is one of the strongest indicators of a child’s future success, yet we’re facing a literacy crisis in America. 65% of American fourth graders read at below-proficient levels.63% of New Hampshire and Vermont fourth graders read at below-proficient levels. 61% of low-income families have no children’s books in their homes.Access … Continued
CLiF’s mission is to inspire a love of reading and writing among low-income, at-risk, and rural children in New Hampshire and Vermont. Why is developing a lifelong love of literacy so important? If kids enjoy reading and writing, they’re more likely to do it often, and research shows that there are many academic, social-emotional, socioeconomic, … 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 / CLiF Grant Applications
All of CLiF’s programs are free and awarded via grant application. Here are the currently open grants: At-Risk Children (Spring 2020)Deadline: December 11, 2019 What the Grant Provides: -A storytelling presentation with one of CLiF’s presenters -An optional parent discussion on tips for reading with kids -An onsite children’s library for the program -Two new … Continued
General / CLiF in the News / Year of the Book
CliF’s Year of the Book grant for the 2019-2020 school year is now underway at 10 schools throughout New Hampshire and Vermont! The grant includes many author visits and workshops, free family events, literacy-related programs, new books for the school and local public library, plus TEN new books for each student to choose! Read about … Continued
Amelia Opsahl, a Keene, New Hampshire high school student, founded Reading on the Road, an initiative to put books on school buses and ensure all kids have access to books. CLiF donated books for the program, and we talked to Amelia about the difference she and her partners have already made for kids in her … Continued
General / Book Recommendations
One of my favorite things about lazy summer days is lounging in the sun with a good book. When I was in school summer was the perfect time to catch up on my eternally-long reading list. Now reading is one of my favorite things about a relaxing vacation. My husband and I recently returned from … Continued
CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.