Articles by Erika Nichols-Frazer
Summer is finally here and it’s time to open a book and enjoy the sunshine! While your child(ren) may have a school-required reading list, it’s also important to encourage them to read what they want. The National Summer Learning Association reports that kids not engaging in educational activities during the summer can lose important gains … Continued
One of our popular presenters is author/illustrator Marty Kelley, who has written or illustrated books such as Almost Everybody Farts, Summer Stinks, and A Cape! We asked him what inspires his work.
Whenever I’ve dealt with something difficult in my life, I’ve turned to writing. Writing helps me process, work through challenges, and make sense of my emotions. It also helps me express myself to others. Sometimes the writing turns into something I share with the public; sometimes it never sees the light of day outside of … Continued
Year of the Book / CLiF Spotlight
Eden Central School was one of ten elementary schools in Vermont and New Hampshire selected for this year’s CLiF Year of the Book grant. The grant provides $25,000 in exciting literacy programming, family events, new books for the school and local public library, as well as TEN new books for each student to choose. This … Continued
CLiF is lucky to have 64 amazing authors, illustrators, poets, graphic novelists, and storytellers who we send to schools, libraries, afterschool programs, childcare centers, refugee/immigrant programs, prisons, affordable housing developments, and other spaces where low-income kids and families spend time in New Hampshire and Vermont. These talented folks share their processes of creating books and … Continued
CLiF is proud to work with 64 talented authors, illustrators, poets, graphic novelists, and storytellers from every corner of Vermont and New Hampshire to inspire low-income, at-risk, and rural kids to love reading and writing. We send our amazing presenters to schools, libraries, after school programs, childcare centers, summer camps, affordable housing developments, and other … Continued
Q. What do you get when you bring 150 educators, librarians, and principals together for a day jam-packed with literacy? A. Inspiration, excitement for learning, and a whole lot of creative ideas! Yesterday, elementary educators from all over New Hampshire and Vermont joined us at the scenic Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT for our … Continued
CLiF’s 64 talented and accomplished presenters are a big part of what makes CLiF special. We send these amazing VT and NH authors, illustrators, poets, graphic novelists, and storytellers to places where low-income, at-risk, and rural kids spend time in VT and NH. They share their creative processes and generate kids’ excitement for reading and … Continued
It’s Valentine’s Day – a day to celebrate what you love – and one of the things the CLiF team loves most is books! These beloved favorites will definitely outlast the chocolate we’re munching on today. Duncan A book that my family loves is Lost in Barrens by renowned Canadian writer Farley Mowat. The YA … Continued
One of the things that makes CLiF programs unique is our amazing line-up of 64 authors, illustrators, poets, and storytellers who visit low-income, at-risk, and rural kids in schools, libraries, after school programs, childcare centers, immigrant/refugee programs, shelters and affordable housing developments, summer camps, and other places where kids spend time. Our inspiring presenters tell … Continued
When I was accepted into the Bennington Writing Seminars now a little over two years ago, the Associate Director told me the program would change my life. I didn’t believe her. It seemed to me that that term, “life-changing,” gets thrown around a bit too much. But now, two years later and having just graduated … Continued
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 … Continued
One of the things that makes CLiF so special is the 64 talented authors, illustrators, poets, graphic novelists, and storytellers we work with who inspire a love of reading and writing in the low-income, at-risk, and rural kids we serve all over Vermont and New Hampshire. These inspiring VT and NH storytellers get kids excited … Continued
This week, we’re feeling grateful for everyone who helps us spread the joy of literacy to low-income, at-risk, and rural kids across New Hampshire and Vermont. As a matter of fact, we feel grateful for your help all year long! We couldn’t do what we do without you, our supporters, partners, and advocates. We’re thankful … Continued
Bristol, NH students squealed with delight as storyteller Duncan McDougall recounted the classic story of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Duncan jumped around and used funny voices to bring the beloved story to life. This was the first of many visits from CLiF’s 64 talented authors, illustrators, poets, and storytellers that Bristol Elementary School will get this … Continued
Last week, JFK Elementary School English Language Learners spent a beautiful fall day at the Clemmons Family Farm in Charlotte, VT, listening to stories, making bean pies, and learning about African American art and culture. This special field trip was a memorable experience for these kids, who come from all over the world and are … Continued
CLiF Presenter author/illustrator Jason Chin shares during his presentations his process for creating and revising his picture books (you can watch this video on Jason’s presentation at JFK Elementary in Winooski, VT this summer). He shows kids the various drafts his work has gone through to become his non-fiction picture books. He tells them about … Continued
CLiF couldn’t do what we do without the 64 amazing NH and VT authors, illustrators, and storytellers we work with. These talented folks travel all over NH and VT visiting kids at schools, libraries, summer camps and rec programs, after school programs, affordable housing units, and other places children spend time. One of our most … Continued
CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.