*This is a guest post.* Research shows that interacting with animals can help promote healthy emotional development in children and adolescents, reduce stress and anxiety, and help develop strong emotional bonds. Nicky Ellis of Horses & Foals shares how riding horses can help kids improve focus and problem-solving abilities while providing good physical exercise. While … Continued
Literacy specialists want parents to prepare their children for school by sharing a love for writing, the attitude that writing is important, and the expectation that all children can become successful writers. How to do this?
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
General / If you're a parent and...
As the first full week back at school (maybe not even a full week thanks to weather) finishes up, I am still trying to clean up from the holidays, to adjust to the winter schedule, and to think about the year ahead. A tall order for most parents (for everyone really!) when we still need … 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
I devoured adventure stories when I was a kid, tales from the ends of the earth.
General / Book Recommendations
If there was ever a time to celebrate the strength and creativity of girls on the printed page, this would be it. It’s been a banner year for published stories of women and girls of ALL stripes — as seen in for example, Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor and Game Changers: The … 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
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
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
It often goes back to reading. Children and teens who read the most tend to become more successful in school than those who do not.
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
Do you remember that scene in Field of Dreams where Annie stands up to a parent trying to ban one of her favorite books? It’s a powerful moment when Annie defends free speech and the right to learn. Though that memorable scene was filmed nearly 30 years ago, banning books still happens throughout the U.S. today. … Continued
For the past 20 years, Duncan McDougall has successfully been raising funds (while telling stories to LOTS of kids) to support CLiF’s continued growth. We asked him to share his technique for fundraising and grant writing with our Year of the Book teachers at a past Community Literacy Conference. These tips are meant for beginner … Continued
I think the question I am asked most frequently by individuals, organizations and the media with respect to my children’s book series, Lady Lucy’s Quest, is this: Why would a former college president (and law professor) write children’s stories? Sometimes the question reveals genuine curiosity, a desire to understand why I write these children’s … Continued
Did you know today is National Read a Book Day? Consider this your permission to stop what you’re doing and READ A BOOK! That’s what we’re going to do, because here at CLiF, we love reading and we love sharing our love of reading (and writing!) with low-income, at-risk, and rural kids in New Hampshire … Continued
It’s been a busy summer at CLiF serving nearly 10,000 kids at 140+ Summer Readers events all over New Hampshire and Vermont! We’ve given away more than 18,000 books to kids in need and inspired them with CLiF’s passionate storytellers. At CLiF Summer Readers events, kids get to choose 2 new books for themselves from … Continued
CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.