Remembering Mary Jane (MJ) Manahan — Longtime CLiF Advisor
Everyone at CLiF was saddened to learn that longtime CLiF Advisor Mary Jane (MJ) Manahan passed away earlier this month at 61.
What’s New
General / Book Recommendations / If you're a parent and...
If you’re a parent and… you’re planning a book-themed birthday party
In February, my family took my six-year-old to a Friend-a-Versary at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. For the younger set, this is a dream come true – a day of face painting, tattoos, open spaces with kids running everywhere, a visit with Elephant and Piggie and free E&P books (donated by CLiF partners … Continued
General / If you're a parent and...
If you are a parent and… your child learns to read
I’ll be honest – I burst into tears. At first I didn’t believe it. Emmett’s friend (who is nine) had been sitting with him looking at a book when she alerted me: Emmett can read. I said, “What?! Really? Are you sure?” “Watch,” was her response. She pointed to the word car, and Emmett said, … Continued
CLiF Spotlight: Digging for Incredible Family Stories
Everyone has a story worth telling.
CLiF Spotlight: New Works by CLiF Presenters
In preparation for an upcoming CLiF presenter gathering, I stocked up on their books for vacation reading. My six year old and I particularly loved The Tapir Scientist by Sy Montgomery. My daughter truly loves animal facts (thank you Wild Kratts), and this in-depth look at the animals and the research process lit a spark. She … Continued
CLiF Spotlight: The “girl book” problem
I was caught off guard by a recent Twitter conversation started by Shannon Hale, author of the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy and many others. The powers that be at this school decided that regardless of her qualifications as a presenter, Hale was for girls – and boys wouldn’t be interested. … Continued
General / If you're a parent and...
If you are a parent and… learning to ski leads to a teachable moment
When the temperature sneaks above 20 and the sun pokes out of the winter grey, I seize the opportunity to take my son skiing. He’s gone a handful of times, and each trip out to the slopes is a clean slate. I never know if our day will end within minutes with chilled fingers and tears or … Continued
If you’re a parent and… your child steals a piece of candy
My daughter chose Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Farm from the school’s free book bin. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle takes to her farm children whose behavior overwhelms their parents and cures them of their bad habits with magic and hard work. When I first read the book, I thought not too highly of the parents, but in light of a having six year old … Continued
General / Book Recommendations
Middle Ground: The Diverse, Delightful 2015 Newbery Honorees
What I love most about this year’s books is how original and accessible they are for young readers, how they are powerful without being intimidating.
CLiF Spotlight: Why Book Drives Work
Define “the best.” Here are three possible answers: Indie bookstores, the people who support them, and the people who run them. This year, the generous patrons of five bookstores donated 789 books to the low-income, at-risk, and rural kids CLiF serves. The first wave of these books arrived in mid-December, brightening the holidays for many kids. Just like every … Continued
CLiF Spotlight: National Readathon Day
What better way to spend a cold winter Saturday afternoon than reading? This Saturday, January 24 is the first National Readathon Day. A project of the National Book Foundation, GoodReads, Mashable, and Penguin Random House, National Readathon Day aims to raise awareness about the millions of Americans who struggle with low literacy skills. From noon to 4 … Continued
General / Book Recommendations / If you're a parent and...
If you’re a parent and… you’re teaching your kid to have a sense of humor
My six-year-old daughter loves Sesame Street. I dread the day she feels too mature for the silly muppets with their quirky personalities, multicultural community, easy jokes, and advanced vocabularies. Watching it with her brings back many innocent childhood memories, and I love sharing that with her. Over the years, she has received countless Sesame Street books. We … Continued
Middle Ground: Why Are Middle-Grade Books So Sad?
“You thought this was funny?” she asked me. “I didn’t laugh at all. I hardly ever laugh at books.”
Happy New Year!
Wishing you a 2015 filled with reading, writing, and joy! Original artwork by Grace Ahmed.
CLiF Spotlight: Family Holiday Dinners, or the Best Events Ever
I love this season. I love that so many cultures have holidays this time of year, when it’s cold and the nights are darkest and we’re most in need of shared light and warmth. It’s hard to pick a favorite CLiF event, but our holiday family events for Year of the Book communities are right up … Continued
General / Book Recommendations
The Next Great Book: Holidays 2014, Part Two
This is the second half of Jane’s holiday recommendations. For Part One, click here. And now a handful of outstanding picture books, because I cannot choose just one (ever!). Sidle on up, pardner, for a hilarious Wild West caper by the outlaw author/illustrator duo Bob Shea and Lane Smith. Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads … Continued
General / Book Recommendations
The Next Great Book: Holidays 2014, Part One
I’ve got lots on my mind as I think and write about books and giving this holiday season. But I think Kyle Zimmer, President of First Book in Washington DC says it best for me when she spoke at the National Book Awards ceremony this past month: “In this country that we are so … Continued
General / If you're a parent and...
If you’re a parent and… your child starts keeping a diary
At the last Scholastic Book Fair, my daughter coveted a hot pink cat diary. She bought it with her own money. She amazes me by diligently filling in her schedule on the calendar and filling in her “contacts” in the address book. It did backfire when we wanted to change a family movie night that … Continued