General / If you're a parent and...

If you are a parent and… every day is Thanksgiving

As parents we often exhaust ourselves prodding our kids to use their manners: “Remember to say please.” “How do you ask nicely?” “What’s the magic word?” “What do you say now?” We want them to be polite, appreciative, socially appropriate beings, and sometimes forcing them to use manners doesn’t feel like the most effective or … Continued

Children and bus driver

General / If you're a parent and...

If you’re a parent and… you need inspiration to inspire

I went to the Vermont AfterSchool Conference on October 24 where I was inspired by the variety of programming available for out-of-school-time programs. Surprisingly, I was even more inspired by the keynote speakers. The conference kicked off with Rebecca Holcombe, Vermont Agency of Education Director, sharing her four key values: show passion, create partnerships, be innovative, … Continued

General / If you're a parent and...

If you’re a parent and… you dread the 28-part nonfiction series

Sarah Stewart Taylor, a CLiF presenter and author, interviewed CLiF’s founder and executive director Duncan McDougall for a recent parenting piece. Sarah summarizes the aspects of reading supported by our programs – relaxing and enjoying the moment, modeling by reading yourself, repeating books, and letting kids choose. I know this is true, and I feel like … Continued

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General / CLiF Spotlight / Book Recommendations

Which is better: the book or the movie?

Harry Potter. The Hunger Games. The current nationwide phenomenon The Fault In Our Stars. Classics coming soon to the big screen: The Great Gilly Hopkins and The Giver. And way back when, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and in the beginning, The Wizard of Oz. Great children’s books have always been made into beloved movies. Still, the TFIOS … Continued

Boys with books

Book Recommendations

The Next Great Book: How to Get Boys to Read Books

The last time I was volunteering at a book giveaway, where we let each child in the school pick out a new, free book to take home, I had several middle school aged boys say to me “There’s nothing here I want.” Or “I don’t see anything I like.” It’s times like that I try not to … Continued

General

Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare!

When daffodils begin to peer, With heigh! the doxy over the dale, Why, then comes in the sweet o’ the year; For the red blood reigns in the winter’s pale. The Winter’s Tale (4.3.1-4) Happy Birthday, Bill!  

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General / Book Recommendations

March 14 Friday Links Library

Happy Friday! We’re digging out after Vulcan dumped two feet of fresh snow over Vermont. Which means all this weekend we’ll be doing our two favorite activities: reading and skiing. Here are some clips from the last two weeks. Meredith found a lot happening in Ohio to help third graders pass reading tests: When more … Continued

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General / CLiF Spotlight

CLiF Spotlight: Let’s All Read Across America

I started hearing Christmas music in October. No exaggeration – I was still shopping for the final touches of my son’s Halloween costume when the bells were jingling and the sleighs were dashing right there in my radio speakers. I love family traditions and glowing lights and – oh, wow – nothing compares to the … Continued

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CLiF Spotlight

Feb. 28 Friday Links Library

Happy Friday! Here are some stories we liked this week: A review of Bookmooch, a book swap club, and impressive statistics on how members can donate their points to “school libraries, classroom libraries, public libraries, and prison libraries” so they can choose gently used books for their collections. Closing the literacy achievement gap by ‘re-gifting’ the love of … Continued

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General / CLiF Spotlight

Feb. 21 Friday Links Library

Good morning! Here are some stories we liked this week: This thoughtful op-ed in Minnesota’s Star-Tribune. Literacy tutor Kris Potter muses on the power of learning to read with real books: “The tangible benefits of reading (real) books to kids” “Love cracks the code, creates curiosity, sustains attention and eventually lays knowledge at their feet … Continued

General

CLiF Spotlight: Boys and Books

Every year CLiF works with thousands of low-income, at-risk, and rural children from birth to age 12. And every year, without fail, our most challenging clients are the oldest boys.

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Book Recommendations

“The 100 Best Children’s Books (of All Time!)”

There is something about the truly awesome body of children’s books that tempts people to try to separate the cream from the chum. It’s just irresistible. This week the New York Times noted two organizations that have recently published their lists of the 100 “best books” in children’s literature, the New York Public Library and … Continued

General

CLiF Spotlight: Celebrating Dear Friends’ Memories and Values

Above: CLiF Executive Director Duncan McDougall, left, and board member Dan Lynch, right, at the Summer Readers event held in memory of Richard Lynch in 2013. The photograph Dan holds is a picture of himself with his father. As CLiF’s Office Manager, I have the responsibility and privilege of processing the generous donations that come … Continued

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General / Book Recommendations

Finding “The Next Great Book” – Part 1

Staff note: We are thrilled to welcome Jane Knight, Children’s Book Buyer for Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, VT and CLiF Advisor, as an occasional guest blogger. Jane’s focus is on finding the best kids’ books on the shelves via resources and reviews. This is part 1 of a 2-part blog post.   I’m hoping … Continued

General / CLiF Spotlight / How You Can Help

A Church Walks the Talk

The 75 members of the First Church in Jaffrey, NH are an energetic group of individuals who feel that they should demonstrate not only in words, but also in deeds, their love for their fellow human beings and the planet around us.

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General

Mean Parents Unite!

I am a mean parent. It’s true. And I had mean parents, for which I am eternally grateful. How mean am I? Mean enough to use the word NO in the face of adversity (begging, foot stomping, crying, and occasional tantrums), and mean enough to make demands of my children, even if they temporarily hate … Continued

CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.

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